Area D Water Service Establishment Bylaw

In British Columbia, Regional Districts cannot simply build infrastructure or offer new public services when they choose. Legally, they must first create a Service Establishment Bylaw (SEB) and receive majority support (more than 50 percent of people who show up to vote, voting in favour) of the new service for the bylaw to be adopted and the service created. 

A SEB defines:

The Service: What the Regional District is allowed to do

The Service Area: Exactly who will pay for the service if the referendum is approved

The Funding Types: There are different ways that the PRRD can fund a service including taxes, user fees, grant funding and/or loans

The Funding Limit: The maximum amount of property tax that can be legally collected to pay for the service

If more than 50 percent of people who show up to vote, vote yes to creating a new water service, the PRRD would be able to consult with the public, plan service options and build or fund water service solutions. This could include:

• Plans to get money for projects that help secure water access for people in Area D
• Looking into getting permits and approvals from the Province of BC to use water
• Buying land to build things that move, store or dispense water
• Talking with nearby areas about sharing money for new or existing large water projects
• Building and running water systems in Area D
• Hiring people to help find, check, build and run water facilities

The proposed new service will not limit the PRRD to one water source or system. This means they can look for the best long-term solutions for water access security. 

If the referendum is approved, the Regional District would have legal permission to create the proposed new service and collect funds for it up to the approved taxpayer limit.

A majority "Yes" referendum vote does not mean a specific water option is being built or a specific solution is being chosen. Instead, it gives the PRRD legal permission to start exploring water security options.

Voting "Yes" for an official water service means that you support giving the Peace River Regional District the permission to:

• Move forward with exploring possible water solutions
• Get money and support from local users
• Get money and support from provincial and federal programs
• Plan for future water access in Area D communities

Voting "No" for an official water service means you do not support creating a new water service in Electoral Area D. The PRRD would not have permission to collect money or taxes for the proposed service, and the project would not move forward under a service establishment bylaw. The Regional Board may look at alternative options.

To officially establish the water service, provincial law (Local Government Act) requires three levels of approval:

1. Regional Board: A majority vote of approval of the SEB (Complete)
2. Inspector of Municipalities: Provincial government approval of the SEB (Complete)
3. The Community: Approval from eligible residents in the proposed service area through a referendum vote (Decided on October 17, 2026, through the Local Government Election)

If more than 50 percent of people who show up to vote, vote yes, the service may be funded through a variety of sources. The most common forms of funding are:

• Property taxes collected from the properties in the benefiting service area, which is all of Electoral Area D
• Grant funding, gifts and agreements with partnering agencies
• Revenues, or fees and charges that a user pays

Maximum Taxpayer Limit: The greater of $1,000,000 per year or $0.3348 per $1000 on the net taxable value of land and improvements is the maximum amount that can be legally collected for this service. $1,000,000 is not what each property would pay. It is the maximum shared total the PRRD could collect for this service across all properties in Electoral Area D.

If the referendum is approved, the PRRD would not automatically collect the maximum tax amount each year. This depends on annual budgeting that is set and approved by the Regional Board every year.

Annual Budgeting: The Regional Board will determine and approve the amount of money needed to fund the service each year. Taxes may be lower than the maximum limit depending on actual costs and adjustments to property taxes each year.

Financial planning includes:

• Yearly operating and capital budgets
• Annual property value assessment and related tax impacts
• Long-term cost recovery strategies

Efforts to explore water supply options in the Tomslake and Farmington areas go back to 1999, when early studies looked at groundwater availability and water quality. Early investigations showed limited well yields and recommended further testing and evaluation.

Between 2000 and 2003, several water supply options were examined, including treated and untreated tank loader systems. While technically possible, many options faced challenges related to cost, environmental impacts or long-term sustainability.

In 2012, the Peace River Regional District moved the work forward through a partnership with Encana Corporation and commissioned a detailed feasibility study. Testing confirmed that local aquifers could provide a sustainable water supply, and options for tank loader facilities and treatment systems were developed and presented to the community.

More studies in 2013 looked at wastewater disposal options, and in 2015 the PRRD applied for grant funding and received support from Northern Health for the development of potable water tank loaders.

In November 2015, a referendum was held to determine approval for establishing potable water services in Electoral Areas B, C and D. The referendum did not pass the proposed service, and it did not go forward.

No. This vote determines whether the PRRD has legal permission to develop long-term water access options, including water source(s) for Electoral Area D. It will not bring piped-in/running water into individual homes.

If the majority of people who show up to vote, vote yes, the service establishment bylaw will go to the Regional Board for final adoption, and if approved by them, the Area D Water Service will be officially created. In 2027, the Regional Board will review the first budget and decide on the next steps like looking at different ways to help provide water for Area D residents.

If the majority of people who show up to vote, vote no, the Regional District will not be able to secure long-term access to water in Electoral Area D. The PRRD will not have legal permission to collect taxes for this proposed service, and the Regional Board may consider alternative options or further community engagement.

A new water station may or may not be built in Electoral Area D. These types of details, including whether a new water station will be built, will be decided if the referendum is approved.

All residents in Electoral Area D including homeowners and renters, who meet voter eligibility requirements can vote in this referendum. You can enter your address into our interactive elections map tool to find out if you are in the service area.

If you live outside this area, and own property within the service area, you may be eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector. It is recommended that you contact elections@prrd.bc.ca prior to voting day to learn about non-resident voter eligibility requirements and how non-resident property elector voting works.

Including the entire area allows for maximum cost-efficiency and a flexible approach to water access options.

If the referendum is approved with majority support (more than 50 percent of people who show up to vote, vote yes), property owners will pay for the service through property taxes.

To help Area D residents have access to safe and reliable water. The PRRD does not have the legal permission or money to make those changes even though the PRRD has investigated opportunities. This bylaw would allow the Regional District to move ahead with water improvements knowing the people of Area D support the intention.

Although the 2015 referendum was narrowly defeated, there was clear need and strong local support in communities like Tomslake and Farmington. Since then, steps have been taken, like a $500,000 contribution toward upgrades to the Dawson Creek Water Station in exchange for 20 years of rural access, to improve access. However, these solutions do not provide a dedicated, long-term service for the area.

Right now, the PRRD does not have legal permission to run an official water service in Area D. Creating a water service area would give the PRRD the tools it needs to provide long-term water for the future.

If the referendum vote is a majority "Yes" vote, it does not mean that construction will start right away. It only gives the PRRD legal permission to plan for future water projects and the ability to collect taxes and/or other funding.

Before any big project starts, there will be chances for the public to learn about it and share their thoughts. The Regional Board will also need to approve the project as part of yearly budget decisions.

If the bylaw is approved, any major project or construction plan will still be reviewed by the public and approved by the Regional Board through the yearly budget process.