Village of Pemberton council received its 2020 Drinking Water System annual report during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 15.
While the summary of water quality results for the most part showed levels of chemicals, mercury, and “elements by atomic spectroscopy” well within required limits, there was a concern about manganese levels.
On Feb. 26, 2020 at Well No. 2 manganese levels were recorded at 78.8 ug/L and, on the same day at Well No. 3, they were recorded at 20.1 ug/L. Both were flagged on the report as exceeding “1 criteria policy/ level.”
According to Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total manganese in drinking water is 120 ug/L. However, the aesthetic objective (which refers to the aesthetic appeal rather than health concerns) is 20 ug/L.
During the meeting, Councillor Ryan Zant asked Tom Csima, manager of operations and projects for the Village, about those numbers.
“Do we have to change wells if manganese goes over the limit?” he asked. “Is it a guideline or recommendation?”
In his response, Csima explained the government introduced new standards around manganese in 2019. Previously there had only been standards around the aesthetic objective.
“If we were to sustain levels of manganese higher than the maximum allowable concentration for a significant amount of time then, yes, they would require that we take action,” he said. “We’re aware that we do have higher manganese levels and we’re floating right around the aesthetic objective and we have seen from time to time it reaches the [MAC] … Currently we’re looking at filtration and treatment for those levels so [Vancouver Coastal Health is] not expressing too much concern around our higher manganese levels, but to answer your question, yes the maximum allowable concentration is the limit at which there may be health concerns.”
The pH at both Wells No. 2 and No. 3—listed at 6.82 and 6.57, respectively—and a pH of 6.89 in the Industrial Park on Feb. 26, 2020 were the only other flags. All three were also labelled as exceeding 1 criteria policy/level.
The issue of low pH water in Pemberton first came to light in 2016. Since then, the Village has been adding sodium carbonate to the water to increase pH, to reach the target level of seven, and alkalinity, to the target of between 40 and 80 milligrams per litre. Water with low pH levels is corrosive and can result in increased levels of lead in drinking water from interactions with pipes.
Health Canada’s operational guideline for pH sets the standard between seven and 10.5.
New basketball court location chosen
Council voted on June 15 to locate its new outdoor basketball court at Lot 8 on Frontier Street north of the Downtown Community Barn parking lot.
Both staff and the Pemberton Valley Utilities & Services Committee recommended the location over the alternative option of the Great Lawn at the Pemberton and District Community Centre.
Coun. Amica Antonelli raised concerns about solar lights that could be used on the space until 11 p.m.—coinciding with the Village’s noise bylaws.
“Certainly it’s within our ability if we feel that there’s impacts in the neighbourhood we don’t have to go to 11 p.m. either,” said Mayor Mike Richman, in response.
While the location isn’t as central as the community centre, the under-utilized space will be easy to develop, offers multi-use potential next to the barn, provides easy access for construction, isn’t hidden or obstructed from public view for safety purposes, and offers washroom facilities nearby, according to a staff report.
Back in 2019, staff began discussing the installation of a new basketball court at Signal Hill Elementary. However, during delays to the project, the school’s parent advisory committee, with support from the school administration, initiated a new garden project.
As a result, an alternative location had to be found.
Village to try for Friendship Trail funding
Council also voted to support a funding application to the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) for the final stage of the Friendship Trail on June 15.
The section of the seven-kilometre trail, which aims to connect Pemberton, SLRD Area C, and the Lil’wat Nation, is a 0.75-km separated, multi-use path along Pemberton Farm Road East. It will connect the Friendship Trail between Highway 99 and Den Duyf Park.
Two previous grant applications for the project were declined, but staff said in a report they believed the project meets the requirements for the CHCI funding. If successful, that will provide $250,000.
Staff recommended allocating up to $372,000 from the Village’s COVID-19 Safe Restart Fund and Community Works Gas Tax Fund to cover the remainder.
