IMPORTANT
Emergency contact -
John Green 250-857-4906
Reminders:
- Water Conservation & Restrictions: As we know, things can turn very dry very quickly in the Cowichan heat, so water conservation is appreciated as always. If water restrictions are required this summer, they will be posted on signs at street level and via the MRID website.
- Pools and Ponds: Please contact a trustee or staff member if you require significant water to fill your pool or pond, so that we can ensure adequate water supply in our holding tanks to service the District.
- Irrigation systems: Quite often, irrigation lines/systems are the source of unusually high water usage and/or damage/leaks. If you are installing an irrigation system or already have one, we encourage to monitor your meter for water use. If not sure how to do this, contact a trustee.
- Power Outages: With our new back-up generator in place, the water supply in our tanks will now be supplemented by one well pump during a power outage. Thus, water conservation will likely only be required during power outages that occur in the hotter months between June and September.
- Damage to your waterlines will almost always be unexpected. If away from your home for an extended period of time it is strongly recommended that you turn off the water to your house or have someone checking your water to avoid flooding and property damage. It is also very important that you notify the Trustees immediately if you experience an unexpectedly high volume of water usage on your property.
- Access to meters: A reminder that all meters must be kept clear of undergrowth and obstructions by homeowners. If the MRID has to incur costs to read your meter, that cost will be passed on to you. If you don’t know where your meter is, please contact us.
Annual General Meeting
The MRID had its AGM on April 24, 2025, at the Mill Bay Fire Department hall. Beyond board and staff, there were community members in attendance. Thanks to all who attended! At the meeting, it was announced that Darcy Thompson was leaving the District and thus not renewing his tenure on the Board. Jake Zaiss put his name forward and was elected uncontested to the MRID Board for a three-year term. Welcome Jake to the MRID Board and thank you Darcy for your commendable service over the last six years.
Current Events
- Tolls and Taxes: As the costs of everything continue to rise due to inflationary pressures over the four years, the District has determined that it is time for an increase to tolls and taxes. The last toll increase was four years ago and taxes seven years ago. Accordingly, you will notice a 10% increase in both tolls and taxes effective on your June 30, 2025, billing. Tolls will increase from $30 to $33 per month, or from $90 to $99 per three-month quarter. Taxes will increase from $270 to $297 per year. This should allow us to continue to put somewhere between $8,000 to $10,000 of annual savings into District reserve funds for the replacement of our aging water system infrastructure. As in most years, your tax bill1 will be included with your June 30, 2025, water tolls billing and due on or before July 31, 2025.
- 1 The MRID levies an annual tax on all properties within the district boundaries. It includes properties that are vacant land, and others which have their own wells, as both types of property benefit directly by having water available upon demand to service the property. This includes access to standpipes/hydrants for fire protection and for insurance purposes. Properties within a city or municipality have a tax for water automatically included in their annual property tax bill. As your water is supplied by MRID, the taxes are issued by and paid to the MRID.
- District Fire Smarting: The District has been meeting with the Mill Bay Fire Department to optimize both residential and forest fire suppression strategies within the MRID catchment. In addition, the District is taking steps to address vulnerabilities in relation to wildfires. As an initial step, work has been completed to clear brush around the main pump house, and “fire smart” the pump house building envelope. Now that these obvious issues have been addressed, a formal “Fire Smart” review at the District level will be requested.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Q: Who do I contact in an emergency ?
A: There is an emergency number on the front of the main home page,or, any of the board members listed under contacts.
2. Q; What is the water safety testing procedure ?
A: There is a set duration to take water samples and submit for testing. Please refer to the below link for test results:
3. Q: Does the MRID chlorinate ?
A: No, under the current system and as long as the test results are good we are not required to or is it necessary to chlorinate.
4.Q: Do you have recommended water saving tips?
A: See the link at the top of the main page under water conservation
5.Q: I have a suggestion or concern, who should I contact ?
A: There is a form on the contact page you can use, or you can contact any of the board members.
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