I read with complete disgust the news release from the City of Parksville regarding the comprehensive watering ban that took effect on July 9.
The first paragraph states that the watering ban is required to allow the city to meet water requirements for residents and businesses and/or to fight fires. Later in the news release, the city indicates they will stop watering some city-owned irrigated areas. Not all areas, just some of them.
It sounds to me like green grass is more important than the ability to provide drinking water to residents or fight fires. The tens of thousands of litres of water that may be sprinkled at the Community Park alone could go a long way for the residents of Parksville if there is no rain until November.
Using wording such as “major functional economic assets… will be preserved” doesn’t change the fact the City of Parksville continues to water while telling the citizenry that they cannot.
I’m certain that most homeowners in Parksville would consider their yards to be economic assets too. However, we will not be able to preserve them under the comprehensive watering ban.
I look to all levels of government in this country to lead by example. It’s a shame the government in Parksville isn’t able to do this.
For the record I do not oppose the watering ban, I just want it applied evenly to all groups in the city.
Shawn OrdParksville