35 - Sunday, April 23, 1989 - North Shore News

First
served,

eat
PAGE 36

Lower

land water system

has been running for 100 years

SYSTEM FIRST STARTED
AT THE CAPILANO RIVER

ONE HUNDRED years ago, the development of the infra-

structure to carry water from the Capilano River to con-,

sumers in the new City of Vancouver, marked the successful
completion of the first project in what is today an extensive

regional water system.

That first pipeline ran 16
kilometres from an intake point on
the Capilano River to what is now
Main Street in Vancouver. The line
was constructed in 1889 by the
private firm, Vancouver Water-
works Company. Prior to con-
struction of the pipeline, all Van-
couver City water had been drawn
from wells or sources such as
Trout Lake.

Two years after completion, the
city purchased the system and
began to operate it as a public util-

ity.

In 1908, the Seymour River was
tapped to help meet an increasing
demand for water in the city. By
1926, the Greater Vancouver
Water District was established by
provincial legislation to handle
water supply on a regional basis.
The water district joined the
Greater Vancouver Regional
District (GVRD) in 1971.

Today the GVRD provides water
to approximately 1.5 million peo-
ple living in 17 municipalities, in-
cluding the three North Shore

municipalities. The system is fed
by three protected watersheds
covering 585 square kilometres, six
mountain lakes, five dams, 21
storage reservoirs and tanks, 12
pumping stations and more than
500 kilometres of supply mains.

The Capilano River project built
100 years ago could deliver as
much as 19 million litres a day.
But now we live in more thirsty
times. Today the system delivers
nearly one billion litres of water a
day. The figure doubles during
peak demand days.

As a public utility, the GVRD
water system operates on a break-
even basis. The GVRD supplies
water to its member municipalities
at cost. The district sells water to
its members at just over four cents
per 1,000 litres.

But despite its relative abun-
dance, water remains a valuable
commodity. During prolonged dry
spells in the summer months, the
supply and distribution systems
can be pushed to the limit.

Denturist Society:
rovincially licensed and ~

ified’ Denturist (Dental

Mechanic). practioner, on the

ith. Sho!

Senior discounts’

2 All dental plan scooped.

Reasonable

cin recognition ‘of Dental Heal th.

the. Month of April, 69.

» Month all denturists in B.C. are
giving free denture Cleaning for

WORKERS BEGIN construction on the first iink in the regional water system, a dam on the Capilano River.
The project was completed 100 years ago wken water was delivered 16 kilometres to downtown Vancouver.

¢ Total light control —- energy efficien

» Elegant as formal drapes ‘
e Beautiful selection of soft pastels
per inch 2 Flame Retardant

in width  * Abbey's “Non-Stop” Warranty

p (any length)
eg. 84” width
{any length) 84°x$1.99 = $167.16
INN at $1.99 per ft. = 13.93

: $181.09
pecs # Dy

Sale ends Apr. 30

For further information please call
any of the below Denturists Offices
or The Public Denturist Society. of
o B.C.’s-office ‘at’ ;
1-590-5122

FRIEDRICH BRUMM

203-1590 BELLEVUE, W. VAN.
W. VAN. MEDJDENTAL BLOG.
PH, 822-9444

PETER BARKER
231 LONSDALE, N. VAN.
PH. 986-8515

At ADOLFSEN
500-145 W. 17TH, N. VAN
PH. 987-4747

A. DOUNIS . LEWIS M. NENADIC VIRGINIA THORBURN a
: 105-140 W.. 15TH, N. VAN. 301-1124 LONSDALE, N. VAN. 205-1420 MARINE, N. VAN. 208-1331 MARINE, W. VAN. .
* ~ PH. 985-7710 PH. 987-1944 . PH, 988-5668 PH. 922-3305 -