September 1, 2024
Our recent visit to the Davis Locks on the Rideau Canal, a Canadian UNESCO World Heritage Site, was marred by a frustrating experience. As we attempted to fill our water jugs with fresh, filtered water, a note pasted at the freshwater supply hose alerted us to a ‘boil water advisory’. This inconvenience, which surely affected other visitors as well, highlights the pressing need for a solution.
Fresh water is essential for the numerous boats, cruisers, and campers passing through. I have no idea how pleasure boaters and campers can continue their trips without it.
The Rideau Canal is not just a tourist attraction, it is a national treasure. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a National Historic Site, and the oldest operating lock system to move boats up and down along the Canal in North America, it holds a significant place in history. Its construction in 1832, at a huge human cost, is a testament to the perseverance of our ancestors. This rich history makes this site’s lack of potable water all the more disappointing, given its esteemed status.
I approached the workers and asked what was wrong with the water system. They said that some filters needed changing. At least, that is what I understood to be the problem. Officials had tested the filtered water quality and determined that some filters required replacement. It appeared to be a manageable problem.
The boil water advisory was there two weeks ago when we went to get fresh water. So, it has been at least a couple of weeks during the busy summer months when potable water has not been available at a UNESCO World Heritage Site! This situation is incongruous with what an average person thinks of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I am not an expert on water filtration systems, but I installed a simple store-bought one in our cottage. When looking at options, I came across better-quality ultraviolet light systems costing more and requiring more maintenance. As well, I read about reverse osmosis commercial systems. ZENON Environmental in Oakville, ON, developed membrane technology for water filtration in the 1980s, with products sold globally. So, the technology is readily available in Canada.
Therefore, the problem at Davis Locks is maintenance, supply, or perhaps budgetary issues—the government is not allocating funds for timely maintenance. In other words, it may be practicing breakdown maintenance. Whatever the problem is, it is inexcusable, in my opinion.
The lack of potable water at this location may appear to be a minor issue to many people. However, for visitors using the site, it is a significant problem that takes away from the attractiveness of this World Heritage Site. In the long run, it would reduce visitor traffic should it happen again. This is just one issue that takes away from the attractiveness of this site; reducing the hours when the locks are open, raising fees for boaters, and a strike by workers in the past have all reduced traffic. Compared to the high traffic volume in 1982, the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Canal, traffic diminished from 100,000 users to 56,000 in 2023.
As a concerned citizen, I am disappointed by our government’s lack of maintenance and promotion of this significant site. With its rich Canadian cultural and historical heritage, the Rideau Canal deserves to be showcased and celebrated, not overlooked.
andrasthehun.ca 