The much anticipated Water Pipeline Exhibit opened to the public on August 1. Many of the invited guests were unable to attend due to the closure of Sooke Road due to a fire. In his opening remarks, Ray Vowles, president of the Juan de Fuca Salmon Restoration Society said, “When we turn on the tap we don’t think of where the water comes from. Good clean water is one of our precious resources.”
Mayor Wendal Milne stated, water is something we take for granted. What is so interesting is that 100 years ago the City of Victoria needed a reliable, long term source of water which they found at Sooke Lake. In 1911 they built a gravity flow system through lots of hills and valleys. “Now they can’t even get a sewer system in Victoria. It was an amazing feat,” he said. “There was blood, sweat and I’ll bet a lot of tears.”