Trucking company concerned about Dawson Creek water restrictions

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Curtis York Trucking has sent a letter to the City of Dawson Creek outlining concerns over stage two water restrictions implemented by the municipality.

The letter was addressed during council’s March 11th meeting, who voted in favour of city staff reaching out to Curtis York to come up with a workable plan that adheres to the city’s bylaw. 

The March 5th letter notes restrictions have financially impacted the company during what York says is the peak season for oilfield services, and requests that 1,600 cubic metres of water a month be allowed by the city in order to service their customers, or a lesser amount of 500 cubic metres, enough to prevent further damage to water tanks attached to the company’s building. 

“Access to our water main has been completely cut off, which was installed at a significant cost, and a large monthly fee is paid to maintain. A portion of our assessment, which, as you know, determines our taxes, takes the value of our water main into consideration — the value of which has been unavailable to us for nearly 10 per cent of the year,” writes York. 

York also noted that he feels there’s been enough snowpack added to Dawson Creek to consider rescinding restrictions, citing 50 cm of snow reported by the Government of Canada’s Historical Climate Data site. 

City CAO Kevin Henderson said while there has been some snow, the whole of Northeast BC is extremely dry. He added that the city needs to stay within the parameters of the bylaw, they can’t pick winners or losers. 

“Although we’ve had some additional moisture, by no means, I don’t want the public or anybody to think that this has solved all our problems because, in fact, it hasn’t,” said Henderson, noting their system isn’t fed by mountain snowpack. 

Water from Bearhole Lake has yet to make it to the city’s weir, he added, with recent cold weather impeding the progress. The weather has moved to a warming trend, continued Henderson, with ice beginning to loosen. 

“Each day, we’re going in the negative. We’re not able to pump as much as we’re using, so we’re monitoring that closely,” said Henderson. 

The bylaw itself was also developed to prevent large water hauls used in fracking, he explained further, noting the city might be able to work with York if the water is just for infrastructure protection. 

“If he’s not hauling water, then we can certainly work with him and see what needs to happen there,” added Henderson. “But if he’s not hauling it, it’s not contravening the bylaw, so it shouldn’t be an issue.” 

Mayor Darcy Dober said council has felt the impact on Dawson Creek but agreed they can’t waive a bylaw. 

“I think we feel what the impact this has on our community, all. Right? Businesses and our residents, but you can’t request some water for some, and for others within the bylaw anyways,” he said.