Salt Spring’s sources of drinking water have a hard-enough time trying to contend with septic tank leachate, pesticide runoff, algal blooms and yahoos partying on St. Mary Lake’s aerators, without any further challenges.

With thousands of households dependent on water from island lakes, it’s a wonder anybody can get anywhere near them.

Houses and farms have, for decades, circled the shorelines of St. Mary and Cusheon lakes and that’s just something directors and managers at Salt Spring’s two largest waterworks outfits have had to contend with.

They, along with the efforts of other groups like the Water Preservation Society and the Water Council have done a formidable job swimming against the current to make sure our island’s drinking water meets the highest standards possible.

Given the effort, it’s a wonder there’s been so little action on the matter of float planes landing on island lakes governed by electric motors only regulations.

While planes landing on Cusheon Lake, as happened over the B.C. Day long weekend, are a rare occurrence, float planes on St. Mary Lake have become part of the scenery and the subject of occasional protest.

As Horel Road resident Wayne Hewitt has pointed out in recent weeks, a float-plane accident on one of our island’s drinking water lakes could deliver a major inconvenience if not a serious disaster.

Part of Salt Spring’s charm may be that lingering backwoods do-it-for-yourself mentality, but some things deserve a little more consideration, including access to clean drinking water and the safety of our community.

If your neighbour decides to burn that growing pile of slash in the backyard at the wrong time of year, he or she can expect a visit from members of our local fire department as a result of the danger posed to the community.

Float planes on island lakes pose a similar community threat and steps should be taken to enforce regulations prohibiting their use.

According to Transport Canada, it’s up to the Salt Spring Island RCMP to step in and take action.

As for the rest of us, it’s our duty to let them know when pilots put our drinking water at risk.