I see that Grand Forks now wants to have every water user (property with a house on it) fitted with a meter to measure the flow of this watery liquid into one's dwelling.
Why do we need such devices tacked onto our pipes? Will we be elevated to the status of say Detroit or Chilliwack where careful scrutiny of one's private flushes will now be possible? Have the citizens gathered before City Hall to demand that we have these meters? I can find no reports in the local newspaper of such demonstrations.
Nevertheless, the city marches on to further regulate our thirst. And the penalties for not having a water meter by next year are draconian, rivaling those for a DUI. Thousand-dollar fines, $10,000 levies, these are possible results of non-compliance.
And it is not just the property owner or tenant who may be busted. The meter bylaw is worded such that any person who contravenes the bylaw is guilty. Ludicrously, if I pass by a faucet on some non-metered property and take a drink, I could be found at fault.
The city needs to throw out this bylaw and begin again. Listen to us taxpayers and consult at great length over this change. And have a referendum.
Gregg Cherrington-Kelly,
Gabriola Island, B.C.
(Grand Forks property owner)