Chair of Wainfleet Water and Sewer committee presents alternatives to pipeline
*We will run through the chronological series of events as best we can to help everyone understand how we got to this point in time
*Our opinions and ideas will be presented along with the events as we saw them happen to help reinforce your understanding of our objections to this project.
*Again we invite and encourage you for your comments at any time.
1995
A strategic plan was worked on by various committees, one being a committee to study the alleged failing systems along the lakeshore.
The township was formerly made aware there is a problem
Council passed By-Law no. 059-2000
“PROPERTY STANDARDS BY-LAW”
In our opinion this bylaw is in place but not being utilized by either the township or the Public Health Dept.
Long Beach Sanitary Survey undertaken
Approx. 286 homes involved.
requested by Township
Health Department does survey
- Asked questions
- No actual physical testing is done
- Renters were questioned (they could not provide any proper information)
- Health department did not issue any work orders for those properties that were not in compliance despite the provision of the PROPERTY STANDARD BY-LAW requiring properly operating sewage systems with drainage pipes all going into either a septic or holding tank
- Regular inspections would result in tighter more controlled compliance, with the result of the removal of some if not all of the pollution that has caused the water quality concerns along the lakeshore. Pollution that we the homeowners have been accused of causing.
-128 properties involved
-In the E.A. the Region has stated that MACVIRO went to properties, and the area they knew they would find problems
- their findings created an impression that the problem was more severe than is generally the case
- because this survey was so selective, responsible residents were not satisfied with the results
The E.A. states
-there are aging septic systems
- residents at risk for potential contamination of their private wells
- raw sewage and odours from roadside ditches
- on site ponding
- the failing systems are having a detrimental effect on the lake
- therefore we need water and sewer pipes
The lakeshore residents don’t agree with the Region’s conclusion.
We do however agree that there is a problem, one that we think is not as huge as the Region is claiming and that can be addressed with the use of the Property Standards Bylaw and ;
FIX,REPLACE,REPAIR
- By having the bylaw enforced you will have the support of the lakeshore residents.
Just have a look at the comments section from PIC #3, in the E.A., most of the comments made talked about making the homeowners that are not in compliance bring their property under control.
Will avoid the humongous discharging problem that the region has with the big pipe solution.
Region dumping of untreated and partially treated sewage
- In 2005
- the region dumped 4,263,199 litres of untreated or partially treated sewage that by-passed the proper treatment in to our lakes, rivers and canals as standard practice
This figure is according to the “dump reports” I have that the Region produced when asked.
According to a study conducted by the Sierra Legal Defense Fund, as reported by the Toronto Sun Nov. 29/06, they have stated that some 90 BILLION litres of untreated effluent enters the Great Lakes every year. “We need to stop treating the Great Lakes like a toilet”
We couldn’t agree more, so why should we add to this by having a pipeline to hook us up to a Region that got a C+ in this same report?
Homeowners with septic or holding tanks don’t flush every time, we conserve water more than most, so again why should we hook up to Port Colborne when our sewage will just get dumped in the lake anyway, at least with our septic and or holding tanks the effluent doesn’t go directly to the lake, mother nature does treat it along the way.
- 1365 homes
Minus 380 units from Long Beach water
985
Minus 435 Cistern owners (approx)
550 Well owners
30% of 550 = 165 homes (The region claims 30% of wells are contaminated)
THEREFORE THE REGION WANTS TO SPEND $65-72 MILLION DOLLARS FOR 165 HOMES !
- Not even MPAC thinks that the lakeshore homes are worth that much
- There were 3 altogether
- We attended the PIC # 3 August 2004
- At that time the message was that we were informed we would only have to pay $19,000.00 per home and the the total project cost was only 48 MILLION DOLLARS
P.A.C. was put in place for input on project
P.A.C recommended one more round of water testing be done as the prior testing not representative of the problem of the lakeshore
P.A.C also recommended that if phasing of pipeline was to be considered ( one pipeline put in first and the other at a later date) then the first must be wastewater.
MACVIRO conducted final round of water testing
- 107 homes tested
MACVIRO did a better job of taking representative samples, but we know that 39 (these failed) of the 107 were untreated raw water samples. They should all have been treated water samples.
FEB 2005 V.A.E.
- 5 day conference with consultants from both Canada and the U.S. to determine if the pipeline project is good value for our dollar
-both the pipeline and alternatives were to be looked at.
-Lets look at the timeline provided
Study pipeline
Look at alternatives
Prepare a report
- not enough time or information, 5 days is a fairly short time frame to examine both the pipeline and alternatives.
- P.A.C. members were on the phones gathering information that the Region did not supply to conference members about cost and supply and installation of holding and septic tanks.
- 10, 11, 13 suggests the region take a longer and better look at alternatives
- This was not done and would not have been done had not the Minister of the Environment ordered it to be done as part of the approval of the E.A.
- One expert from the V.A.E. agreed that on-site alternatives would be a far better solution. He strongly suggested if phasing was to be done, that a waste water pipeline be put in first as the water would correct itself,and by putting in just water, it would encourage the abuse of the system and overwhelm already alleged compromised septic systems.
- that alternatives should be looked at
That on-site alternatives be looked at much more closely.
The status quo is not acceptable and a timely cost efficient solution is in order, one that the lakeshore community can live with.
However the Region on the other hand
- Is unmoved and prefers to have we residents taxed out of our homes in order to accomplish getting the pipe in the ground.
- Again we the residents have a better solution, one that has the full support of the lakeshore community and is better for the environment and affordable.
1st application Jan 2005 asked for $55 million
2nd application Sept 2005 asked for $35 million
3rd application Sept 2006 asked for 9.3 million
All turned down
- was approved BUT with 5 conditions
1- Cost evaluation / sharing plan includes looking at alternatives
2- Social impact study
3 - Archaeological study
4- Natural Impact study
5 – Public Input
- must include a determination of whether property owners will be caused long term hardship
It doesn’t ask for short term hardship(ie: an extra $222.06/month for 20 years)Long Term Hardship will be determined by seeing if the homeowner will be able to sell in the future and recoup any losses paid out. This is of course their out, because we will be able to sell at a higher rate than we purchased for, what it won’t cover is if some or all of us will have to walk away or be forced to sell due to the imposition of the extra money needed to benefit from this.
Region is only required to do one public meeting, after all conditions are met.
We think that this is unacceptable, there needs to be more public input before they complete the reports for submission. Wainfleet needs to attend to this and do something the community supports.
An Expression Of Interest was advertised in the paper in Nov. for companies that have alternative ideas and or products that could bring down the cost of the pipeline.
Region is going over the submissions, and a report is expected by the end of Feb.
-the BWA is from the old railway tracks south to the lakeshore.
The homeowners between the tracks and the servicing area will not ever get out of the BWA due to no plan of action by the Region to rectify this situation.
The area includes about 1200 homes.
(Just an opinion)
In the second application to COMRIF (this application was shown to the PAC members) there was a letter in it from Doctor Williams implying that she had called a boil water advisory prior to the date when the BWA was actually put in place. What she meant was that she had issued some individual BWA along the lakeshore, not a blanket BWA. What was implied and probably understood as such, was that there was a BWA in effect before it actually was and that the Public Health Dept. was on top of the problem. This letter was back dated to Sept/05. Sneaky? Absolutely. Underhanded?
Water Testing
(side issue, but an important one)
The water testing is now at the City of Port Colborne town hall. Their hours are from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday. If you work out of town or are a cottage owner you can not get your water sample in to be tested. By placing water drop off at town hall in Port Colborne this precludes the very property owners who should be testing their water monthly.
*IS THIS COUNCIL PREPARED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?
**WE HAVE A SUGGESTION **
Change location to new fire hall in Port Colborne as someone is there 24 hours and all that is required is the frig to be moved. This would give better access to everyone who needs water testing, not just in Wainfleet.
Water & Sewer Committee
Presentation to Niagara Region’s
Planning & Public Works Dept.
Overview of Presentation
Region’s dwelling count for phases 1& 2 is inaccurate
Inaccuracies in Region’s 25 year “Life Cycle Cost”
Cost of future maintenance of “pipeline”
Concern for Long Beach’s phases 3& 4
In this part of our presentation I submit that the claim of the “true cost of on-site private solutions” is not higher by comparison to that of the pipeline but in actuality less costly
This whole exercise is to prove the point that the figures the Regional staff is presenting to both Township and Regional council and the lakeshore residents are misleading and inaccurate.
Region’s June 27th presentation indicated 710 “dwellings” in phases 1 & 2 on Tables 2, 7, 9 & 10
Wainfleet Water & Sewer Committee obtained Assessment Maps and did a physical count and verified 590 dwellings via Tax Roles and Provincial Assessment Data
There are also only 22 infill lots. If you consider the Provincial Policy Statement guidelines as to the development of Agricultural lands,Wetlands, and Provincially Significant Woodlots, the 120 lots the Region is claiming there are in Phase 1&2 do not exist.
Revised Municipal Flat Rate Assessment and Private Services Phases 1 & 2-without
Those homeowners on the north side of the road, and or on one of the side roads that have their systems in their backyards and have a basement will have to smash out basement floors and redo the entire plumbing to be able to hook into the pipeline. You can’t go around the house that would not be cost efficient,you have to take the most direct route and that would be through the basement and then outside.
Region’s Estimated Costs
Wastewater Collection
And Treatment $52,424,888
Municipal Water
Distribution & Treatment $28,035,941
Total 25 year cost $80,460,829
True Costs
Wastewater Collection
And Treatment $52,424,888
Municipal Water
Distribution & Treatment $28,035,941
Add:
Interest Charges on
Project Cost $28,307,720
(cost of $30,890 w/o COMRIF @6% per annum with 240 pmts of $220/mth)
True 25 year cost $108,768,549
Just to save time I have copies of both the memo and my response to the memo if anybody would like to see them.
Also, the annual interest payments alone to be made by the township would more than pay for our proposal, and pay for the necessary staff to ensure the problems are fixed and stay that way.
Wainfleet does not have a Water and Waste Water department which would create the need to hire several staff members to run the department plus equipment, and software
Either decision increases future capital/maintenance costs; these costs were not accounted for in the Region’s Life Cycle cost comparison
The private water “provider” for the Long Beach Residents has indicated that he will shut down his operation more than likely when the pipe starts going in. Who can blame him? Would you stay in business knowing that you will be forced out anyway?
The phase 3 & 4 homeowners will need to install cisterns at an additional cost,all thanks to the Region’s push for development.
There is a huge assumption of future funding, we now have a Conservative government they may not continue on with the Liberal’s infrastructure programs
E.A. suggests $31,400 (page 194 Executive Summary of E.A.Report) plus hook up. This does not include $3-5000/pump for pumps that would be needed at the majority of homes or back flow valves.
This cost was with funding!!!
As mentioned before homes on the north side of the road or on the side roads that have their systems in their backyards will have to re-plumb the basement in order to connect to the pipeline.
Too many lift stations needed
Township will have to hire a water and sewer department to maintain lift stations and billing.
Most residents will have easements taken on their property
Mature trees will be cut down
System not looped, in order to keep the chlorination levels even,and water from sitting in the pipes in the winter months when the demand is not so great, several blow offs a day will be required, at hundreds of gallons at a time the residents will have to pay for this also.
Infiltration of ground water will be higher than usual, 40% in most places, due to high levels of ground water due to the proximity of the lake, more like 60%. This will be water that does not need to be treated and in the long run we will be paying for the treatment of this water
Waste water will also leak out
These pipes will be coupled together with rubber gaskets. These gaskets will break down over time due to the acidic nature of what is being transmitted.
let’s do the numbers
If you take the $31,400 suggested and amortize this over 20 years at 6 % the payment would be $222.06 per month plus
- pumps
- back flow values
- increase in our property taxes
- monthly water and sewer bill
- cost of hook up and retrofit of plumbing which has to be paid within 30-60 days of job performed
Meters – so we can be billed!
The residents will be the ones that will be paying for any project overages
65-72 million is what the region is saying this project will cost.
Councillors and staff should be familiar with the problems of cost predictions. (reminder they first said this project was going to cost 48 million)
For a project of this size I venture to say is that it will never come in under budget, there will be overages.
All sewer and water projects that the Region has handled in the last ten years have always come in over budget.
Lets make a bet here:
If this project comes in under budget then I pay the original cost, if it comes in over budget then let’s say the township pays double for my place.
Does Wainfleet council wanna take that bet?
Any comments at this time?
Development pressure once services are in will be huge. We are the waterfront , this is where the value in Wainfleet is, just ask MPAC
Regional planning policy says no pipeline in rural areas. That is how they control development.
Our proposal will ensure control of development.
The Region has stated all along that the size of pipe the propose to install will only accommodate the 200 or so infill lots left along the lakeshore.
We have an internal document produced at the Region that says quite clearly that the same size pipe that will only accommodate those 200 infill lots will also accommodate 8865 new units. How can this not be about development?
Why even go there if their original claim is true?
Our solution of fix, repair replace will keep Wainfleet, small and rural as the citizens asked for in the strategic plan, with limited development.
Has the support of the residents and is more cost efficient and better for the environment.
- Odour impact and complaints
- Cost of enforcing maintenance
- Wilful negligence by homeowner
- disconnecting warning devices
- holes punched in tanks
- grey water diverted to ditches
- Community Stigmatization ?????
- to costly for homeowners compared to the pipeline
- honey wagons running up and down the roads
Pump out fees are $175 –200 per load
Holding tanks need to be pumped out (for an average 3 bedroom home) weekly, using a 1600 litres of water per day (flow rate)
Average holding tank for a home in Wainfleet is 2000 gallons
Holding tanks this size are pumped out on an average of 4-7 weeks not weekly as stated by region.
$200.00 X 4 per month = $800.00
$800.00 X 12 per year = $9,600.00
$9,600.00 X 5 years = $48,000.00
Their logic with these numbers is at 5 years the homeowner will have spent more than the cost of pipe, plus hook up and any pumps needed.
(easily verified)
$200.00 X 12 = $2,400.00/yr.
$2,400.00 X 5 = $12,000.00
$12,000.00 - $1,800.00 (interest on $31,400.00)
Total cost to homeowner = $10,200.00 over 5 yrs.
Total savings to homeowner = $ 37,800.00
*Cottage owners would typically be pumped out from May to October*
This is a one time cost to the homeowner for fix,replace,repair.
No increase in taxes due to hooking into infrastructure
No monthly water and sewer bill
Not having $31,400 added to our already astronomical property taxes
*This same rationale goes for those who would be able to put in a new septic system
Even if you factor in the cost of installing a new holding tank
W.D. Moody Concrete Ltd.(2006 prices)
2000 gallon holding tank is $2010.00 including taxes and delivery
$1,900.00 to install (more if hitting rock)
Total cost $3,910.00
Region is claiming $5000 to $6000 (to our knowledge the Region has never said where they got this figure from)
I just have to ask here, with all of the resources at the disposal of the Region, how is it that they can’t seem to get cost estimates right?
As I ask before what else is not right?
What other information has the Region misrepresented to both this council and the Regional council in order to accomplish this rape of the lakeshore?
O.B.C says we can use holding tanks as a last resort (please note that in the Moskoakas it is all holding tanks usage)
Everyone needs to understand that on-site solutions are THE ONLY way to solve this problem and be fiscally and environmentally responsible
Presentation of a viable alternative
Now is the time for discussion of the solution that we have been talking about for the past 2 years.
It has the universal approval of the lakeshore residents, is timely and financially doable.
Please hear us out and then think outside of the box the engineers have put us in.
Be leaders by making a wise decision to support this solution.
PROPOSAL BY WWSC FOR THE WATER & WASTEWATER SERVICING
AREA
Solution for potable water for well owners
Solution for effective wastewater systems for compliant, non-compliant-A & non-compliant-B homeowners
Understanding the concerns by the Public Health Dept.of the urgency of providing potable water to the lakeshore area residents
WATER
To get potable water to every well owner, the solution is a treatment unit
Either the Municipality or Region needs to make a bylaw mandating all well owners purchase and install a treatment unit and submit test results of 0-0 at least twice per year perhaps even quarterly, ensuring that the units are being used and that they are being maintained.
No tests results = Financial Penalties added to taxes.
To encourage the purchases of treatment units the Region/Township could offer a rebate of perhaps $ 250.00 upon presentation of a paid receipt.
550 wells as per the memo by Chado Brcic on July 21/06
550 X $250.00 = $ 137,500.00
This figure will be lower as most residents already have treatment units in place.
Test results to be kept in the homeowners file at the Township office and receipt noted on taxes
In the late 70’s the government made a law that mandated private car owners wear seatbelts as a safety measure or be fined when caught not doing so.
This is the same principal, a local government mandating the implementation of a safety measure in a privately owned home. In this day and age of concern about our water who wouldn’t want to do this? It just makes sense.
We propose that the Region/Township either enforce the Property Standards By-law or put in place an amendment or resolution, so that inspections and testing of systems can take place for fix, repair or replace if needed.
This is a a proactive step that can be initiated immediately rather than letting this issue linger while we wait for the Region to complete the 5 conditions imposed and find alternate funding.
Waiting for the appropriate funding programs could be a long wait, up to 5 years or more.
Once the inspections are carried out and decisions made as to if and what could be wrong and how to fix the deficiency the next logical step is policing.
This is not and does not need to be the staggering idea the Public Health Dept. is sure that it is.
This does not need to be difficult, we already have the mechanisms in place we just need to utilize them more efficiently
Non-compliant properties needing holding tanks (677)
Register with the Township as such and have the cost of the pump outs put on municipal taxes.
52 weeks/4 x $200.00 per pump out = $2,400.00 yearly (per Terreberry’s estimate)
Township tenders out work to local contractors who would make sure all holding tanks are pumped out according to a schedule for the size of tank and inspect when on site.
Paper work submitted to Township
If there is work that needs to be done then the Public Health Dept. Is called in to verify the inspection and recommendation by the contractor and a work order put in place and followed up on.
Contrary to the claims the Region is making, holding tanks are pumped out every 4-8 weeks not every 12 days, those here in the summer months would of course be pumped just through the summer season
This plan is a win-win for the homeowner as the cost of the yearly pump outs can be paid out over a year rather than at each visit
Compliant dwellings with septic tanks (294)
Registered with the Township as such
Township to tender out to local contractor and cost put on the homeowners municipal tax bill
Schedule of pump outs to be maintained by contractor and at $200.00/pump out every four years (as recommended by the Region) this would be $ 50.00/year on the tax bill
Contractor to inspect while pumping and to verify with the Township that work needs to be done and the Township then contacts Public Health Dept. If a tank needs remediation then a work order is issued and followed up on.
Non-compliant A requiring alternative systems (149)
These residences could install incinerating toilets and/or new technology not yet approved by the Ministry
Region needs to pursue the idea with the Ministry to approve these new technologies
Policing of these properties would follow the same type of guidelines as Compliant and Non-compliant-B properties
Not withstanding the idea of creative alternatives for these alleged small properties, if you can park a car on a property then you have room for a holding tank, you may have to park elsewhere but there is room for a holding tank.
Exactly which lots are too small? Tell us where these 149 lots are.
For those businesses that have multiple dwellings on one property and derive a living from renting those units out they too would be treated in the same fashion once a type of remediation is decided on. Costs would be put on the municipal tax bill just as in the the private homeowner.
Those in question would be:
Hodges Lodges
Lake Haven
Long Beach Resort
IN CONCLUSION
Our proposal is one that can and does address the urgency of the potable water situation along the lakeshore and should satisfy the Public Health Dept. It can be implemented right away, whereas the installation of the pipeline can not be started until such time as the 5 conditions are all met and the job is put out for tender, a rough estimate would be at least 18 months. The Region is predicting at least 2 years for construction,and a year to hook up, so therefore the lakeshore would not have potable water for at least 4½ years.
Our Proposal will be much quicker to implement than the pipeline and will do a better job and has the support of the lakeshore residents. It is something we can live with and is more appropriate than the pipeline.
For those homeowners who need remediation, and need financial help, the Region or the Township could create low interest loans for the homeowner that could be paid out over the same time frame as that suggested for the pipeline
YES
IS IT HISTORICALLY EFFECTIVE ?
YES
It is being used in other areas of the province with great success and the bonus part is that the Township has the control, not the Region.
We know that at this point it may take up to a minimum of 4 years for pipe to be a reality and a probability of as long as 10 years or more.
Our proposal can address the problem now, council needs to convince the MOH that this is more advisable than waiting for the pipe to get in the ground.
I know this has been fairly intensive discussion, there are some things that haven’t been discussed due to the extreme controversial nature of the issues but we hope that we have been able to convey clearly what we consider the inequities with this whole idea and have been able to convince you that we have a viable solution. One that needs tweaking no doubt but a workable solution in the end.
First we would like this council to acknowledge that our concerns are valid, and reasonable. ( A statement to this effect in the media would be good)
We have spent the last 2 or more years telling both Wainfleet council and the Regional council, we do not want this pipeline !!! It is past time that our elected representatives actually represent our views.
We want this council to stand up for our proposal, clearly and decisively at the Regional level.
We want you to make a By-Law or Resolution to adopt our proposal.
We want this bylaw or resolution worded so that the Region will have difficulty going ahead with their proposed solution, if not outright stopping it.
We want all and any recommendations and or bylaws and resolutions with regards this issue to be voted on and all votes recorded.
We want this council to set up its own Citizen Advisory Committee to work with both staff and council on this issue.
We want a concerted effort on the part of this council to make it clear to all levels of government that the citizens have a solution that you would like to pursue, through the courts if necessary.(as in King City in York Region)
We want you to stand behind your election campaign speeches and work on this with us, to bring this to a financially and universally acceptable solution that we can live with.
I would be entirely remiss here if I didn’t take the time to remind everybody of campaign quotes and sentiments
With all due respect, the objective here is to point out that we the voters have not forgotten what was said and that we sincerely want you to follow through on those sentiments expressed, we deserve to have a council that supports us.
Henderson – “I’m not buying into a pipeline that is viewed as the only solution”. “ I’m looking for something more environmentally friendly and cost effective”.
Main – “ From the start I agreed it needs a solution , but not one that puts homeowners in a precarious situation”.
Warkentin – “ Concerned with the cost of the proposed pipeline and if people have to move due to that cost”.
Kramer – “The Health dept. has not done their job. They let these systems get out of hand”.
Hessels- “ The water and sewer issue is a Regional problem and the cost should not be borne by the Wainfleet taxpayer”.
The environment is a now a huge political football. The feds have just pledged $ 1.5 Billion dollars as a nod to the Kyoto Accord, it is called the Green Fund to be shared equitably between the provinces.
The catch is all submissions for money for this program must be ECO FRIENDLY. An obligation to reduce pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions must be standard.
Pipe is not eco friendly, far from it. Be leaders in this and put Wainfleet on the map for doing what is right environmentally, not for what is old school thinking.
They are listening and know we aren't going away!
Here's hoping for some changes to the problems .
