Homeowners were warned again to expect much higher water bills as plans proceed for new filtering technology. Latest estimates suggest a 100 per cent increase.
Work on improving Barr-head’s water treatment plant is expected to go out to tender before the end of the year.
The $12-14 million upgrade will involve installing microfiltration and nanofiltration systems, which remove contaminants. In addition, a weir will be put in place near the plant.
“The rate will be raised significantly, but people will have outstanding water,” said county manager Mark Oberg.
“The water quality people will have is comparable to reverse osmosis. It will be pure water.”
The overhaul will be overseen by the new Barrhead Regional Water Commission, made up of town and county members, and is designed to meet rising provincial standards.
At Tuesday’s county council meeting, Coun. Doug Drozd and deputy reeve Bill Lane were appointed to the commission’s board of directors. Coun. Lawrence Miller was appointed as an alternate.
Town directors include mayor Brian Schulz, the chairman, and Coun. Don Smith. The directors at large are Adolph Bablitz (town) and Albert Mast (county).
The commission, still very much in its infancy, met for the second time last Tuesday.
Schulz said a budget would have to be set.
He added the upgrade of the treatment plant would involve a large expansion of the facility. Tendering will start in December.
“Of course rates will be going up to compensate for all the new restructuring,” he said. “The rate has not been established.”
Schulz anticipated bills would “most likely double”, but the increase won’t be known until restructuring costs become clearer.
Once the project is completed all residents would benefit from better quality water.
“The water is safe now, but we have to meet these new standards,” said Schulz.
“We are putting in place one of the most advanced systems in the world which will be good for 25 to 30 years.”
At last week’s county meeting, some members believed residents would be taken aback by the rate increase, despite publicity about what was happening.
“When the rubber hits the road it’s going to be an awakening for town residents,” said Miller.
Miller said he currently paid about $20 a month for water. The bill would jump to $40.
Coun. Darrell Troock agreed, even though residents had been made aware of increases.
Drozd said he could not see anybody making any money from the water business.
Oberg said under the new arrangement the county would be buying water from the commission.
“The cost of water is going to go way up,” he said.
The provincial push for improved water quality came in the aftermath of the May 2000 tragedy in Walkerton, Ontario when seven residents died from drinking water infected with E. coli and hundreds suffered from symptoms of the disease.
According to the local medical officer of health, the deaths could have been prevented. Dr. Murray McQuigge revealed on CBC Radio on May 25, 2000 that the Walkerton Public Utilities Commission knew there was problem with the water several days before they told the public.
A 60-page study released in November 2001 concluded that the Walkerton water tragedy cost at least $64.5 million and an estimated $155 million of human suffering was factored in.
Each household in the town of 5,000 spent about $4,000 on average as a result of the contamination, for a total of $6.9 million.
Water requirements and codes changed in response to the tragedy, forcing municipalities across the country to upgrade their facilities.
Two years ago a $3.5 million project was completed to install a regional water transmission line from Barrhead to Neerlandia.
Oberg said the Neerlandia water supply from a small lake had been deemed unacceptable.
New filtering technology was then tested at Barrhead’s water treatment facility, which draws its supplies from the Paddle River. The tests were part of a pilot project to see what filtration system could meet rising Alberta Environment water standards.
It was in February 2009 the town and county passed bylaws to become members of the Barr-head Regional Water Commission.
They approached the Department of Municipal Affairs in August 2009 to form the new body.
Oberg said there were many advantages to a collaborative effort, the most significant being lower costs for Barrhead authorities.
Under the arrangement, government will cover 71 per cent of costs, the town and county 29 per cent.
“The water commission will be selling water to the town and county,” said Oberg.
He could not say when householders would receive their increased bills.
The water commission’s 2010 business plan, which followed an engineering study, said the nanofiltration system would result in operational cost increases.
“This process is 20 per cent more expensive to operate than the conventional process,” the report stated.
The report added: “A period of growth in the Barrhead region coupled with the increased need to provide potable water to the region has resulted in the need for increased water treatment, increased water capacity, and regional transmission line requirements. Furthermore, Alberta Environment has expressed a need to upgrade the quality of water for the residents in the Town of Barrhead.”
