Braun Reveals Actual Peak Water Use Down 33% – Media Release

Late disclosure of actual Abbotsford Peak water usage statistics shows that the City’s material promoting the “Yes” vote has significantly over-projected future water needs. In his pursuit of a seat on City Council, Henry Braun obtained previously undisclosed information from City Water Group staff.

“It appears that the City has been using inflated projections, rather than actual usage, for the years of 2008 through 2011″, Braun says. “The City’s own information clearly shows the trend has been downward since 2007, and is 33% less than the City has stated”. Average daily use has also decreased by 10% over the last 4 years.

For some time Braun has been seeking disclosure from the City of the actual water usage for 2008 to 2011. “The numbers used by the City have had the effect of scaring some people into thinking that if they don’t vote “yes” we will run out of water very soon. In looking at the City projections I couldn’t understand why they weren’t using actual data”, explained Braun. This information has now been provided to the Council hopeful by the City Water Group and shows a significant difference between what the City “projects” and what actually occurred during the past four years (see graph below).

Based on the previously unavailable information, rather than the “projected” growth in water demand, there has in fact been a decrease. Conservative projections for 2011 would indicate usage of less than 25,800 ML, the lowest water usage since 2002. An urgent water problem was not identified by the City 10 years ago.

The new information was disclosed by Braun at the all candidates meeting held on November 8, 2011, as well as the forum held by the Rural Ratepayers Association at Bradner Hall on November 9. “There is an understandable skepticism regarding the numbers chosen for the City’s “yes vote” marketing material. We need more transparency, more information and straight talk about the risks and benefits if we are to make informed decisions about major undertakings such as the proposed Stave Lake P3 megaproject”, urged Braun. “Inevitably, the water usage trend is dependent upon new development and arrival of new businesses. Given the current, and short-term, projected, economic indicators, we are likely to experience relatively slow growth with no significant new development for the next number of years. The new smart meters and conservation efforts have only been in place for a very short time but are already having an impact. While, at some point in time, Abbotsford will need additional water, the “vote yes now or else” message doesn’t hold water.”