Editor:

I am in disbelief by the misguided information that Dr.

Lem actually believes exists. He is a doctor and for some reason he appears to have difficulty understanding the difference between surface water and underground water. It is proven without question and with scientific proof that our underground water in Chilliwack is safe for drinking, has been safe for decades and remains safe to drink. It is pure, it is naturally filtered and poses no health risk whatsoever to our community.

He has taken the stance that three reported cases of E. coli from surface water, the key words here being "surface water," not underground naturally filtered water, has been identified since 1978- three cases in 35 years. How is it even possible only three people in 35 years acquired E. coli from surface water when so many hundreds who drank the water the same day did not?

The water that was in question on three occasions is isolated to small pockets of the community and the city has already taken measures to effectively destroy any further occurence, albeit so fleetingly rare.

Has Dr. Lem even listened to himself? He openly compares surface water to underground water springs where it is scientifically proven to not contain E. coli yet he seems oblivious to this fact.

Anyone can clearly read between the lines that there is much more going on here than his "my way or the highway" position.

The mayor has thankfully taken the community's response to such a ludicrous argument and I applaud Mayor Gaetz for standing up to the Health Authority, and in particular this Dr. Lem.

As a community citizen, I ask myself how and why did Dr. Lem even bring this issue up? Are local business water suppliers in distress that by chlorinating our water their business will increase?

I am in total agreement with the Reimers and Short and by the many petitioners who are rightfully opposing such a ludicrous demand on our pure water supply.

Blaine Everett Chilliwack