The folks on Senanus Drive had a small street party to celebrate the arrival of fresh water to the area.
For dozens of years Senanus residents petitioned the District of Central Saanich for piped water to the small peninsula of land in the northwest quadrant of the municipality.
“Today is a very happy day for me,” said Irene Booth, who has owned property on the street for 50 years. “I’m just so excited that we’re getting water and I can do some cooking, enjoy having a shower — and I can invite my friends for tea.”
Residents of Senanus have been complaining for years of foul-tasting water that stains laundry and puts some residents’ health at risk. The problem stems from salt-water intrusion into area wells.
Booth, along with other Senanus Drive residents, used bottled water for everything except bathing, laundry and toilets.
She took a weekly trip to her daughter’s home in Colwood to stock up, others purchased water or had it delivered by truck. Some residents shared a well near the top of Senanus that will now be decomissioned by the district.
Getting water to the area has not been an easy task. The residents faced an uphill battle from muncipal councils that turned down a variety of applications over the years.
“It’s a great day,” said Gordon Denford.
“It’s a day we thought might never come,” said Frank Towler. The two men have been at the forefront of the fight to bring water to the street for decades.
The water line was partially funded by a Municipal Rural Infrastructure grant and residents in the Senanus and Mount Newton area will pay a connection fee.