Monday’s city council meeting in Grand Forks was longer than usual with seven residents stepping up to the mic (actually, there’s no mic at the podium in the old CanPar building but you get the picture) speaking against the water meter installation project.All the speakers had interesting points and good questions which council and staff answered as well as they could have. But with such a large project, there are plenty of questions.The week before, on Jan. 22, 120 residents showed up for an open house on the water meters and got a chance to ask questions directly to members of council and city staff members.Some of the concerns brought up by residents are fears of radiation stemming from the meters. These are many of the same fears around smart meters that are being installed around the province by FortisBC and Hydro.Another concern for many people is the worry that water rates will rise, particularly among those who choose to go ‘green’.Doug Allin, city administrative officer, assured the residents at the meeting that the city, and council, will study the results of the first year of the water meters and the mock billing period before coming up with new rates. They will also decide if it is prudent to have a special ‘green’ rate for those people who want to grow their own food.Other speakers asked whether the water meter installation was just another ‘money grab’ from the city.Several residents told council that a referendum on water meters should be added to the next election.This seems highly unlikely, as the city has already sent out the request for tender for water meters which closes on Thursday. Once the selected bidder is chosen, the installations will begin.So, barring any last minute Hail Mary switcheroos, water meters are coming to Grand Forks.Whether you like meters or not, it’s clear the city has done their homework and not rushed into the decision. The water meter plan has been looked at for several years by council and staff, and has been researched thoroughly through several different engineering studies.With Grand Forks’ residents consuming more than three times the national average of water it’s clear something needs to be done. Despite having access to lakes and rivers in the Boundary, our access to water is not limitless nor is it free.

Grand Forks Gazette