Hello Robert,
I read a recent article you wrote about water pipe replacement in your community. It mentions the pipe was installed in 1967, and has experienced several breaks, but it doesn’t mention the type of pipe material.
Statistics Canada says there are 72 km of old asbestos cement (AC) water pipes in North Cowichan.
| Where are Canada’s asbestos cement drinking water pipes? Check the data for where you live preventcancernow.ca |
I strongly recommend that you ask the municipality whether this pipe replacement involves asbestos cement? Was the water tested for asbestos at previous breaks? What were the levels? Were residents informed? What is the plan to replace the remainder of asbestos cement water pipes in your community? Will the pipe that is being replaced be removed, or abandoned in place?
I see you have written extensively on the challenges posed by aging infrastructure. You may be interested in an article I wrote for the Vancouver Island Water Watch Coalition (VIWWC) earlier this year.
You will see I cc’d June Ross and Susan Blacklin on this note.
June heads up VIWWC, and can speak to the situation Nanaimo. Susan is about to launch her second book on a lack of water regulation in Canada. She can speak to the situation in Qualicum Beach.
I sit on the board of Prevent Cancer Now, and would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Kind regards,
Julian Branch
