To the editor:
The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is proposing to spend 5.1 million taxpayer dollars to drill a new, larger well (well is already drilled) in to the deep north shore aquifer and install a manganese removal plant.
The manganese level now is 0.386 parts per million (ppm), which is well below what we require for beneficial health.
The unused manganese well is also well below the recommended dosage for good health and is capable of increasing the water available as the primary capture area is much larger.
There is a possibility the new deep well will drain water from 108 Lake and the existing 108 aquifer due to hydraulic gradient (gravity).
Ministry of Environment monitoring of the north shore aquifer has recorded a steady decline in water level for many years, which makes it a poor choice for future water supply.
The manganese plant is not needed and increase water supply is available at the unused well located at the south end of Sepa Lake.
The CRD proposal is a total waste of taxpayer dollars.
Jim Gellein
108 Mile Ranch