A recent chimney fire in Sandspit could have led to disaster had the brand new water system, complete with hydrants every 150 metres, not been up and running.
Moresby Island Management Committee chair Gail Henry said fire fighters would have had to use a pumper truck to squelch a blaze in her chimney, but with a new fire hydrant out front, precious time was saved.
Between 80 and 90 houses in Sandspit are now hooked up to the new gravity-fed water system.
A 600,000 litre reservoir behind the Sandspit Harbour Inn is designed to supply the town with water for two days in the event of a power failure.
The $3.2-million system is expected to replace private wells in the community of 300.
Water commission chair Duane Gould says some people are noticing the chlorine in the water, but the maintenance people are still working on stabilizing levels.
He said many Sandspit wells had good water, but after the crisis over water in Walkerton, Ontario, standards have risen.
"In this day and age you need good, reliable water especially with tourists coming," he says.
The system came in under budget and the next step is to figure out a rate structure. He says they are looking at $150 to $160 per parcel, but they are waiting to see how many people sign up.
The system is available to most Sandspit houses, but home owners are responsible for digging a ditch and laying their own pipes to bring the water in.
Ms Henry says house insurance costs go down with hook up to the system, helping offset costs.