Dear Editor,

[Re: Metro Van watering restrictions don鈥檛 harm lawns, 91原创 Advance Times, Aug. 24]

While the writer, Catherine Grey, provides some accurate information in her rebuttal of Ray and Yvonne Mostat鈥檚 letter, I see the attack on that couple raising personal complaints as counter productive and divisive.

What is also lacking in Ms. Grey鈥檚 letter is the omission of overall contributors to water supply problems in our Metro Vancouver area.

We have insufficient capacity, insufficient storage, excessive and unsustainable population growth drawing on existing supply to name but a few.

What I see in our Township is a marked minority of property owners that choose to maintain a healthy green lawn. The level 1 restriction of watering lawns a single day a week for a couple of hours is not the primary reason for any lack of water should it come to be. Note that current reservoir levels are normal for this time of year.

The move to level 2 has been branded as a proactive measure in case we run into a supply issue. A key reason for justification of this decision is a 20 per cent increase in water use. Is this 20 per cent increase solely due to lawn watering? I highly doubt it.

More than likely the continual population increases are the prime culprit. Most lawns I have seen since the inception of level 1 restrictions in May are and have been brown. When I see a green lawn that has been maintained via thatching, aerating, fertilizing, mowing, etc (all at the homeowners expense) I applaud the effort.

Not only do these lawns provide an oasis visually amidst the surrounding barrenness, they provide a minor buffer from the threat otherwise of errant discarded cigarette butts lighting up the parched lawns that predominate the area. Once a week lawn watering is not the primary concern. Most single family lots existing now within development areas will likely become townhouse or condo sites where lawns will not exist.

The previous single family occupants will be replaced with dozens and dozens of water using occupants and this will replicate throughout the Township.

We need multiple strategies throughout the region to deal with any water supply shortcomings in the future that go well beyond the paltry amount of lawn watering the is being used as the supply scapegoat.

The Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy needs a massive rethink in terms of how to provide for the masses coming.

Calling persons with a differing viewpoint 鈥渢one deaf鈥�, 鈥済ripers鈥�, 鈥渕isinformed鈥� or 鈥渆ntitled鈥� does little to move us to a better place.

Brian Cameron, Brookswood

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鈥� READ MORE: 91原创 couple irked by lawn watering rules

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