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Kincardine proceeds with mandatory connection for Inverhuron water and sewer project By Liz Dadson |
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The Inverhuron water and sanitary sewer project is a go, and Kincardine council has given initial approval to mandatory hook-up for all residents in the affected area. In committee-of-the-whole Wednesday night (Dec. 7), chief building official Michele Barr presented the report, and engineers Kelly Vader and Bruce Potter of B.M. Ross and Associates, fielded questions about the Environmental Assessment process which included several meetings with a steering committee over the past two years. The installation of water and sanitary sewers in Inverhuron is the best solution, they said, because it addresses the risks associated with geology in the area, requires little maintenance, services all lot sizes, and is consistent with existing infrastructure. The $9.1-million project has received two-thirds funding from the federal and provincial governments. Councillor Ron Coristine noted there has been a lot of concern from the people of Inverhuron, focussing on the need for sewers but not for water. Vader said that due to the level of risk, based on the geology in Inverhuron, there is a need for water servicing. In fact, she said, the source water protection committee considers the aquifer in that area to be a high risk - it's one of the highest risk areas in the province. "We know there is a large group that does not want water," she said. "There is more support for sewers, but there are a number of people who need the water too." Deputy mayor Anne Eadie said 60 per cent of the residents supported sewers, and 20 per cent have municipal water already. Another 30 per cent want water services, but 48 per cent do not. Vader pointed out that the steering committee made six recommendations to help mitigate some of the measures involved with this project. The first was that the waterline be extended to all residents of Inverhuron and the capital charge be mandatory, but the connection be made optional. Public works manager Jim O'Rourke said not only would the municipality lose revenue without mandatory connection, it does not address the root problem - the risk of contaminated water. "I'm really stuck on this mandatory connection issue for water," argued councillor Randy Roppel. "It should be a mandatory connection," said councillor Maureen Couture. "Council should do the right thing, here, not the most popular thing." Council agreed. A connection bylaw will be prepared for council approval. The second recommendation was for council to consider the fairness of a capital reserve contribution for water and sewer. Staff endorsed including a capital and reserve contribution to the water and sewer project. The current fee is $1,700 capital and $75 reserve for sewage, and $300 reserve for water. Council agreed. This is included in the estimated $12,000 per connection for water and sewer services. The third recommendation was that the municipality contribute a share of the capital charges for the project, above and beyond contribution made toward future development associated with development charges. Barr said staff does not support any additional contribution by the municipality beyond future development. Council agreed, unanimously.
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The fourth recommendation was that a grace period for connection to the sewer collection system be permitted for septic systems that are less than 10 years old, as of 2011. Staff and council agreed with that one, but no grace period allowed beyond 15 years. The fifth recommendation was that the servicing alternative be a low-pressure collection system with grinder pumps. The municipality has already agreed to assume ownership and maintenance of all grinder pumps. Council agreed. And finally, the sixth recommendation was that council consider carefully the small number of residents who actually want or need water along Lake Street South, taking into consideration the environmental damage and extra costs to replace the existing sewer line in order to install a new waterline. Couture said this was done in the former Town of Kincardine, along Goderich Street. Sewers were installed successfully with a minimum of disturbance. Potter noted there is a minimum separation distance required between water and sewer lines, and the entire area along Lake Street South can't achieve that. Barr said the engineers would be directed to pursue a design along Lake Street South that minimizes, as much as is reasonable, disruption to the vegetation and the existing sewer. "We should do it without disturbing the existing sewer line," said Roppel. "That's what would be most reasonable," said Couture. Final council approval for the project and all the mitigating recommendations will come forward at the Dec. 14 council meeting. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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