Petition for Clean and Safe Drinking Water, Responsible Funding Solutions, and an Independent Review of the Water Utility Master Plan
- Target:
- City of West Kelowna
- Region:
- Canada
We, the undersigned residents of our community, urgently petition the Mayor and Council to ensure clean, safe, and accessible drinking water for all. The quality of water from the Rose Valley Reservoir raises significant concerns for our families' health and well-being. We call for immediate action to explore alternative funding sources to improve water quality and safeguard this fundamental right that impacts every aspect of our lives.
To:
Mayor Gord Milsom and Council
West Kelowna, BC
From: Concerned Parents and Residents Served by the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant.
Statement of Concern:
As parents and community members, we are profoundly concerned about the quality and safety of the water sourced from the Rose Valley Reservoir. Access to clean, reliable water that consistently meets and exceeds the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality—and is aesthetically acceptable to residents—is a fundamental human right that impacts every aspect of our well-being. Contaminated or poorly managed water jeopardizes not only our physical health but also our children’s development, concentration in school, and overall quality of life.
Our Requests:
1. Explore Alternative Funding:
We request that the Mayor and Council investigate alternative revenue sources, including general tax revenues and government transfers, to offset the financial levy as outlined under Section 210 (3) of the Community Charter. Ratepayers alone should not bear the financial burden of maintaining and improving water quality, especially given the uncertainties surrounding the current water source.
2. Conduct an Independent Review of the Water Utility Master Plan:
We urge the commissioning of an independent review of the water utility master plan, specifically examining the selection of the Rose Valley Reservoir as our drinking water source. This review should be conducted by independent experts whose firms were not involved in the 2014 Water Utility Master Plan. It is essential to assess whether there were oversights or negligence in this decision. We expect transparency and accountability from all officials and experts entrusted with our community’s safety.
3. Prioritize Public Health in Water Management Policies:
We call for a reassessment of public health priorities in water management. The original plan weighted finished water quality at only 5% of the decision-making process, indicating that it was not considered a significant factor. Ensuring safe drinking water for all citizens is not only a responsibility but a moral imperative. Water must consistently meet and exceed the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and be of acceptable aesthetic quality for residents.
Conclusion:
This is an urgent call to action, not just for our individual families but for the entire community of 19,500 residents. Access to clean water that consistently meets and exceeds the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality—and is aesthetically acceptable to residents—is essential for a healthy, thriving population. We demand transparency and accountability in its management.
Please sign this petition to demand an independent review of the water utility master plan and advocate for safe, clean drinking water in our community.
Sincerely
Olivia Lawson
Resident of Rosevalley
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The Petition for Clean and Safe Drinking Water, Responsible Funding Solutions, and an Independent Review of the Water Utility Master Plan petition to City of West Kelowna was written by Olivia Lawson and is in the category Local Government at GoPetition.