Fast Facts: Village Point Improvement District
- Improvement District formed in 1972
- Current number of Water connections : 237 (276 max.)
- Households with full-time residents: approx. 85
- Current number of Septic Connections: 53
- Annual water consumption: 5 millions US Gallons or 19 millions liters (2020)
- VPID is one of 5,000 Small Water Systems in BC.
We will explain here the various stages our water goes through, from the aquifer we pump it to you taps.
Stage One: Chlorination of Water at the Well Head
VPID has six active wells – 6, 7, 9, 14, 15 and our new well 19 (see map). The first 4 wells are located on Mariner Way. Well 15 is located South of the East West Road and well 19 is located at the entrance to our tank farm and treatment plant at 291A east West Road. All the wells are located on VPID statutory right of ways.
Chlorine is added at one part per million in the well houses prior to pumping up to the Treatment Plant at 291A East West Road.
Stage Two: Treatment Plant
The construction of our new Water Treatment Plant began several years prior to its completion in November, 2016. The previous board did extensive research on different treatment systems before selecting the WesTech Water Treatment system. The board used a Victoria engineering firm, MSR Solutions, for selecting and designing the final treatment of the water processed by the WesTech system. The previous system was based on the filtration of water through one green sand filter in conjunction with titrating the water with chlorine before storage and distribution to the home owners. This involved a significant amount of time in manually monitoring the water intake from the wells and testing the water in storage tanks before distribution.
Before 2017…
New Treatment Plant (from 2017)
Stage Two Continued:
Computer Control of Filtration and Turbidity Reduction
The WesTech system was selected as it tailored its processing and treatment of water based on the actual chemical constitution of the water pumped from our various wells. The WesTech system involves on-line processing of the water from our wells in real time and involves the precipitation of solids and unwanted molecules in the water through a series of three large filtration tanks. The final process is monitored for turbidity of the water, which is kept below the government’s recommended level
Stage Three: Water Treatment
Before it is transferred to our five storage tanks (88,000 US gallons) water is treated with ultraviolet radiation and chlorine added to 1.0 parts per million.
Click here to see the ultraviolet sanitization “kill sheet.”
Stage Four: Storage
Stored water is routinely monitored and re-circulated through the chlorinators before it is returned to storage, thus guaranteeing that the water sent to our homes has been properly treated and the chlorine content is maintained as mandated by provincial and federal regulations.
Stage 5: From the Plant to the Street
The water from the storage tanks is distributed from the Tank Farm via a 6″ pipeline down to Mariners Way. From this line the water branches off to provide water to properties on Mariners Way, Dalton Drive, Callaghan, Spinnaker, Dinner Bay Road, Lundy lane and Leighton lane.
VPID has 5 meter stations strategically located to be used for leak detection.
In addition, VPID has 21 fire hydrants spread throughout the system. These fire hydrants are flushed annually to clear the system of debris and ensure they are in good working order.
Each zone is partitioned by a number of main line valves which are used to isolate various regions of a street which allows us to monitor abnormal flow of water to the isolated section.
Stage 6: From the Street to Our Homes
Water from the main line is controlled by a valve, which is called a Corporation Stop (or “Corp Stop). From the Corp Stop, a pipeline goes directly to or under the road to a dual metal pipe with 2 Curb Stops. The Curb Stops control the flow of water to your house and is the property of the VPID. On the residence side of the Curb Stop should be a gate valve to be used to shut off water when absent from the house for 48 hours or longer.
Historically many people have used VPID’s curb stops to turn off water to their houses when leaving the island for more than a day. We strongly recommend that homeowners install their own shut-off valve in the line to their property. These valves are easy to use and have a low probability of developing leaks.
Stage 7: End of Line Water Monitoring
Water samples are taken twice a month to Maxim Labs to be tested for bacteria. We also have chemistry (trace element) sampling of water from the treatment plant and each well, every six months, through MB Labs in Sidney. Samples are taken weekly at the end of each distribution line to check for chlorine residuals. At any sign of risk, VPID will issue a Boil Water Advisory by e-mail and posted mail as well on our website. See test results here.
Coming soon: the Septic System
Updated May 17, 2021 by Philippe