There have been many articles in the last several weeks regarding the necessity for everyone to be conscious of and respectful of the shortage of our water supply.
Many notices from municipalities and other authorities have been in daily and other news publications. Yet, there still exists this insane mentality that we will have potable drinkable water forever. Sorry folks, it is not a renewable resource.
We are in the midst of all-time records of heat and no rain. Yet, in Parksville, under a level three water conservation, home owners can still wash their cars and boats while they are encouraged to let their lawns go “blonde.”
That has the unequivocal support of Mayor Marc Lefebvre, who was quoted in editor John Harding’s editorial in the June 18 edition of The NEWS: “If there was a summer when lawns should go blonde, it’s this summer.”
What is even more astonishing is in the same editorial, Coun. Sue Powell admittedly watched her neighbour power wash his driveway for three hours. There is no comment on Powell’s effort to dissuade her neighbour from continuing his irresponsible actions.
As an elected officer for the Parksville community, regardless if the bylaw officer is on days off, Powell has the obligation to inform her neighbour that he is in violation of a Parksville bylaw, he should stop his actions immediately or would be reported by way of formal complaint to the bylaw officer.
It is time that municipalities start looking forward on the critical issue of fresh water for the future.
As Lefebvre stated: “Lawns don’t exist in nature. They are an invention of man.”
Currently, there are new housing developments under construction. New sod and shrubs are being installed and the houses have not been sold. How much water are they going to need to survive?
There are great rain water retention systems out there, if we get rain. We have to develop with drought resistant landscapes and eliminate lawns. Golf courses should be paying a premium for water usage.
We are in a crisis. Now is the time to plan strategically for the future of our children and grandchildren.
Don SnellParksville