Water is one of the simplest things on the planet, except when the subject concerns Bashaw.
It was a contentious topic early in 2017 with the community being hooked up to the regional water line or face a $500,000 penalty to back out. That was quickly followed by a backlash from residents over the dramatic price increase, which created more headaches when the town wasn’t actually hooked up on time.
Now, in an online Bashaw Star poll, the quality of the water from the regional line has stirred up some more dirt. A total of 29 votes (85 per cent) of the 34 who responded stated “No” when asked the question: Do you think the new water system is benefiting Bashaw residents?
The rest of the votes cast were two for “Yes” and two marked “Unsure”.
What you had to say
There were a host of comments on the web poll after it was shared on the Bashaw Community Events Facebook page, ranging from how horrible the water quality is to those that had no complaints at all (comments have been edited for grammar and brevity).
For Melissa May Ketchion, the quality seemed to get worse after it was connected. “It has floaties in it, has a smell and I used to be able to drink it, but not now I had to buy a filter and it’s still kinda gross.”
Another issue that people spoke on was how it affected their dishwashing.
“My dishes are ruined now from this new water. It irritates the skin and it leaves like a film in our hair,” said Michelle Innes
Candace Hunter added, “Other than slightly dry/itchy skin and a little film on dishes. I don’t think it taste any different and I don’t think it tastes bad.”
On the other hand, several people have no problem with the regional water and that concerns might be due to the change.
“I haven’t had any issues yet with itching, taps or films. But in my opinion the taste is not good. Would it be possible to go back to our old water and still pay the associated cost? I think the town does a great job with public works,” said Quinton Breitmeier.
Kimberley Ann March noted, “I don’t mind the water, but I do find it does taste different at other friends homes in town. Maybe old pipes?”
While Kirsten Nugent stated, “I noticed it tasted different at first, but I was used to it soon enough and don’t mind it taste wise. My kids have super sensitive skin so it has definitely affected them, but I think it’s because it’s harder water.”
Town speaks to water quality tests
CAO Theresa Fuller explained that water testing determined the town’s water meets the province’s safety standards and that issues people are finding is due to increased observations.
“Municipalities have a code of practice to follow and we continue to meet Alberta Environment’s standards,” she said, noting the town office has received a number of reports, both negative and positive.
“We’ve received a lot that stated there is more residue in their toilet tank or screen in the taps. Because of the water switch, people have become more aware and may not have been checking these things previously so they are blaming the issues they find on the water.
“There have also been a lot come in stating their bath mats are lasting longer, they don’t have to scrub or descale things now and items stay clean longer since there is not as much calcium or sodium in the water.”
Those statements can be substantiated via Alberta Environment’s annual test results completed on both Bashaw’s well water and the new regional water line.
The regional water was found to have lower levels of sodium (29.3 mg/L compared to 320 mg/L), manganese (0.02 mg/L versus 0.0018 mg/L) and total dissolved solids (333 mg/L compared to 808 mg/L) in addition to a more neutral pH (7.64 versus 8.44) and is less alkaline (205 mg/L compared to 511 mg/L).
All of this translates into the regional water being softer with far less scaling than the ground water Bashaw got from its wells.
Fuller added that Alberta Environment stated the regional water is slightly better in quality and that people’s experience with skin irritation will diminish over time as they become used to the water.
“As well, we no longer have to put an additive in the well water in order to keep our water distribution pipes in good working order,” she stated.
A link to the water test results can be found by going to the town’s website and going to the Municipal Services tab to find the utilities link.
Bashaw Star editor Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye asked commenters about their experience to gain a better understanding of the situation. Bashaw Star’s web polls do not represent an official petition or plebiscite but are used as a way to engage readers and to hear about community issues. Visit www.bashawstar.com/web-poll for more web polls.
