Shellwood Water Systems
Shellwood water system is located across the harbour, to the east of Ladysmith, in Area H. This small water systems services 31 residential properties.
Source, Treatment and Distribution
The source of water for Shellwood water system is a groundwater well that pumps water up to the treatment plant where the water receives chlorine disinfection. The water is then pumped to the reservoir where it is fed to the system as required by the customers.
Critical equipment is monitored 24-hours a day for malfunctions, such as high or low chlorine levels or pump failures; if such an abnormality occurs an alarm is sent to the on-duty pager to alert CVRD staff for immediate response.
Water Quality Tests
Shellwood water system is sampled once a week. The following table shows the sampling frequency and parameters tested for the water system:
Testing results can be found in the Annual Water Report completed each year.
Shellwood water water system is a fully metered water system and each connection has a water meter that records water use by customer. Water meters are read every six months and customers are charged according to their consumption and based on the rates set out in the inclined block rate table (see below for details)
Annual Charges
*User Fees are mailed out to each customers on the billing date stated above.
**Parcel Tax is charged once a year and is incorporated into the property tax for each customer.
Inclined Block Rate Table
High Consumption Due to Undetected Leaks
User charges may be adjusted on a one-time forgiveness basis, where an undetected leak on your property has resulted in water consumption greatly exceeding your normal consumption (for the billing period) and there is no indication that water was knowingly allowed to run to waste. Additionally, a cap of $1500.00 is in place for subsequent leaks after the first forgiveness of a water overage charge. Written verification describing the nature of the leak and the action taken to repair the problem must be received by the Manager before the forgiveness will be granted.
Click here to view the latest information letter sent to customers.
Source, Treatment and Distribution
The source of water for Shellwood water system is a groundwater well that pumps water up to the treatment plant where the water receives chlorine disinfection. The water is then pumped to the reservoir where it is fed to the system as required by the customers.
Critical equipment is monitored 24-hours a day for malfunctions, such as high or low chlorine levels or pump failures; if such an abnormality occurs an alarm is sent to the on-duty pager to alert CVRD staff for immediate response.
Water Quality Tests
Shellwood water system is sampled once a week. The following table shows the sampling frequency and parameters tested for the water system:| Frequency | Parameter Tested | Laboratory |
| Weekly | Bacterial (E.Coli and Total Coliforms) | Samples are submitted to the Island Health Authority for testing by a provincial laboratory |
| Annual | Full spectrum analysis based on the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. Sampling of the source and tap water is alternated each year. | AGAT Laboratories |
Testing results can be found in the Annual Water Report completed each year.
Fee Structure
Shellwood water water system is a fully metered water system and each connection has a water meter that records water use by customer. Water meters are read every six months and customers are charged according to their consumption and based on the rates set out in the inclined block rate table (see below for details)Annual Charges
| Billing Period | Meter Reading Date | User Fees* minimum payment (up to 100m3) |
Parcel Tax** approx |
Minimum Annual Fee
(User Fee and Parcel) |
| November 1-January 31 | February 1 | $225.00 | $830.00 | $1730.00 |
| February 1-April 30 | May 1 | $225.00 | ||
| May 1-July 31 |
August 1 | $225.00 | ||
| August 1-October 31 | November 1 | $225.00 |
*User Fees are mailed out to each customers on the billing date stated above.
**Parcel Tax is charged once a year and is incorporated into the property tax for each customer.
Inclined Block Rate Table
| User Fees | |
| Water Use (per billing period) | Charge |
| 0-100 m3 | $225.00 |
| 101-150 m3 | $225.00 + $1.00 per m3 over 100m3 |
| 151-200 m3 | $325.00 + $1.50 per m3 over 150m3 |
| over 200 m3 |
$475.00 + $2.25 per m3 over 200m3 |
High Consumption Due to Undetected Leaks
User charges may be adjusted on a one-time forgiveness basis, where an undetected leak on your property has resulted in water consumption greatly exceeding your normal consumption (for the billing period) and there is no indication that water was knowingly allowed to run to waste. Additionally, a cap of $1500.00 is in place for subsequent leaks after the first forgiveness of a water overage charge. Written verification describing the nature of the leak and the action taken to repair the problem must be received by the Manager before the forgiveness will be granted.
Update Letter to Customers
Click here to view the latest information letter sent to customers.