10 HOMES INSPECTED BY PITT SAFETY TEAM

The City of Pitt Meadows has inspected all 10 homes identified as
having an abnormally high electricity consumption by B.C. Hydro.

The homes were targeted as part of a three month pilot project to
eliminate residential marijuana grow operations in the community.

City bylaw inspector Leslie Elchuk said staff will be receiving more
consumption reports from B.C. Hydro in the next few weeks and
inspection will begin again.

No active marijuana grow operations were found in any of the homes.

Elchuk said there were remnants of marijuana leaves at more than one,
but noted the public safety inspection team was not policing the homes.

"We want the public to be safe and hopefully we will get all the
houses in compliance," she added.

Under the program, RCMP forward a list of homes suspected of having a
marijuana grow operation to a team of four comprised of a bylaw
officer and building, fire and electrical inspectors. B.C. Hydro then
releases domestic electrical consumption information to the municipality.

City staff post a 24-hour notice of inspection before entering the homes.

In the most recent inspections, conducted last week, electrical and
plumbing work was done without a permit at a home on Hammond Road.

An open panel box and incomplete wiring were found inside a home on
192 A Street and "building work, unprotected openings, a comprised
vapour barrier and incomplete fire stops were found at a home on 189 B Street.

Assistant chief Brad Perrie, a member of the inspect ion team said
all the homes inspected thus far were potential fire hazards because
of their high electricity consumption.

A residence has abnormal consumption if it uses more than 93
kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day, or three-times the
average. An average home uses 31 kWh a day.

Perrie said most the homes inspected used over 100 kWh of electricity per day.

"That is why hydro is flagging these houses they put stress on the
wiring," he added. "The wiring is not designed to handle that load."