Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
The Town of Oliver is defending its water rates, stating they are fair and equal despite what some users say.
Council members recently discussed a letter from a property owner who wants the Town to review its irrigation water charges for rural properties.
“We have spoken to the owners of various rural properties who are not happy with irrigation water costs,” said the Foxglove Street landowner in a letter to council.
The owner said he paid a total of $1,095.91 for “ditch” water in 2021, compared to $915.15 using town water in 2022. In 2021 the owner added an above-ground pool filled with town water, and did a lot more xeriscaping on the property.
The water customer said they grow fruits and vegetables but don’t sell enough to claim farm status.
“Beside our property is a vineyard that grows grapes to produce alcohol. Why do they get their water from the same pipe for a quarter of the cost that we are charged? They are not growing food.”
The owner wanted the Town to explain why ditch water is double the cost of town water, and if there are plans to reduce the cost for rural residents.
Chief Financial Officer Wayne Anderson said council’s previous response was that water rates for rural properties should be similar to comparable in-town properties.
He explained that the customer in this case changed from ditch water to town water as a means to irrigate their 0.24 hectare (0.6 acre) property. By doing this the customer saved $180.76 in 2022. Anderson said the water consumption was double compared to 2021 when it increased from 381 to 766 cubic metres.
Councillor Dave Mattes said council’s intention is to establish a common thread where people using similar water in and out of town pay a similar amount. “Council is on track with what we said we wanted to achieve, similar costs with no advantage.”
Water councillor Pinder Dhaliwal said the property owner could apply to BC Assessment for farm status as long as they show the sales to support it.
Mattes said the argument that grapes are not food is a debate that he is not prepared to indulge in.
“The provincial government answered that question by giving vineyards agriculture status. If you can get ‘ag’ status it doesn’t matter what you’re growing. Hay isn’t food either but if you grow enough hay you will get ‘ag’ status.”
Council passed a motion by Mattes to respond to the property owner that the Town believes its rates are “fair and equal for equal usage.”
