Rural Terrace Water Systems

The Terrace Rural Water System provides service to three separate areas through an extension of the City of Terrace System. The residents of Johns Road, North Eby and most of Merkley Drive; Kalum Lake Drive to the Terrace Landfill including Dutch Valley; and, Brauns Island to the end of Archer Street are currently serviced by the Regional District System. (See map of the Terrace Rural Water System Service Area).

 In 2007 the Regional District secured a conditional 2/3 grant up to $2.06 million from the Canada/BC Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. An Environmental Assessment was completed and a pre-design resulted in a cost estimate of $3.42 million to extend community water service in North Terrace and Brauns Island.   

A Water Service Referendum was held in November 2008. Residents in the intended service area were asked if they would like the City of Terrace Water System extended to serve them. 114 eligible electors voted 61% in favor of providing community water to a service area of 144 lots and authorized the Regional District to enact Bylaw No. 563 and Bylaw No. 564 to provide for the following:

•  establish the “Terrace Rural Water System Service” within Electoral Area “C” to provide for the supply, distribution and maintenance of a water system,
• authorize the borrowing of up to $1,561,563 for the capital cost implementation of the Terrace Rural Water System Service, and
• annually requisition up to a maximum of $175,000 imposed by parcel taxes and property value taxes applied to the net taxable value of land and improvements.

The initial phase of Terrace Rural Water System was designed to accommodate future service to some properties in the Woodland Park area, further along Kalum Lake Drive up to Dover Road and the remainder of Brauns Island.

In addition to water service, residents receive an improved level of fire protection. The Terrace Rural Water System meets typical municipal standards including the installation of fire hydrants and results in lower fire insurance premiums in most circumstances. 

A bylaw has been developed to regulate the distribution and use of the water and to control the standards of domestic and commercial plumbing systems connected to the water system. Bylaw No. 571 was introduced to the Board in June 2010 and is expected to be adopted in November 2010. (See copy of proposed Bylaw No. 571). This bylaw also sets the Fees and Charges related to the service and includes some water use conservation strategies and requirements.

For additional information related to water use reduction visit our Zero Waste Web Page.