A policy to regulate access to bulk water in Minto was approved by town council at its July 18 meeting.
In a 4-3 recorded vote, council approved a bulk water policy as presented by CAO Bill White and Minto water system operator Wayne Metzger.
Council directed staff to bring forward a bylaw to implement a charge of $3 per cubic metre, plus a $100 administration fee for any bulk water sales.
Staff was also directed to remove water restrictions for all Minto customers except as may be required during emergency, drought or other conditions identified by Metzger.
At its May 16 meeting council considered a request to take bulk water, and passed a resolution to negotiate an agreement with Bright Water Services and prepare a policy on bulk water access.
A draft policy was brought forward on June 6. Citing negative public reaction to the proposal, councillors deferred a decision to allow the public access to the draft bulk water policy.
Information was circulated though the town’s website and social media and through local media outlets.
At the July 18 meeting, White reported three emails were received: two opposed to the policy and one in favour.
“I was really disappointed in the lack of response,” said councillor Judy Dirksen. “I think we all heard pretty clear in June when we first looked at it … ‘No, don’t sell our water.’”
Dirksen said she asked some of the people who originally expressed opposition and showed them the draft policy documents.
“They were still all against selling the water,” said Dirksen.
“I think we’re all used to making a decision where some people say ‘Yes you should do that’ and some people say ‘No you shouldn’t’ – because that’s what happens when you sit in a position like this.”
Dirksen added, “But when we really don’t have anybody except the guy that wants to buy the water saying that you should be selling it, it’s really very difficult to go against what the residents are telling us. I don’t have anyone who said, ‘Yes we should do this.’”
Mayor George Bridge said, “I think it’s misunderstood out there. I think the original response I got from people was they were thinking of Nestle’s or thinking of bottled water and it’s just, we’re selling all this water.”
Bridge noted that previously the town had no policy in place and staff made decisions on requests to access bulk water.
“Now we’ve at least limited it,” he pointed out. “I’ve talked to Wayne (Metzger) on this. If he feels at any point in time that we need to cut this off … he’s the one that’s right working in the system.”
Bridge stated, “I think there’s a silent majority out there that it doesn’t really matter to them in their minds and that’s why we haven’t heard the positive side of it.”
Bridge said those with negative reactions saw things differently once provided more information.
“Once I explained it wasn’t bottling water, that we’re not really raping our well system, that we’re going to keep it low, I haven’t had that (negative reaction),” said Bridge.
Councillor Dave Turton said the idea behind the policy was to provide staff with guidance.
“We’re allowing rules to be made around selling water, if you will, and I think it’s really important,” said councillor David Turton.
“I think we need to get away from the thought that we’re selling water. It’s a policy to be put in place to allow our people to do their work daily.”
Councillor Ron Elliott said he too found people more accepting of the idea after the draft policy was circulated.
“I had two of them that were complaining come back to me and say, ‘I don’t have a problem now that I read clearly what’s going on,’” said Elliott.
“We’ve been doing this all along. It isn’t that anything’s changed. What we’re doing now is restricting it. If we don’t create a policy here, there’s nothing saying they can’t continue to take bulk water.”
Deputy mayor Ron Faulkner said, “We need to focus on what’s in the policy and also that we do have a policy.”
“I keep getting back to the fact that our residents do not want this and, to me, I guess that’s my bottom line,” said councillor Mary Lou Colwell.
“I believe the water in Minto needs to stay in Minto,” said councillor Jean Anderson. “I cannot support selling water … there is nobody that you can find that will support this.”
White said, “The aquifers that supply our water do not know municipal boundaries.
“A policy is needed and I would not recommend you go without a policy any longer.”
“Water comes from everywhere,” agreed Elliott. “Water’s coming in to us from somewhere else. We didn’t generate the water in Minto. So how come we get to keep the water?” he questioned.
A motion to include in the bulk water policy a provision to allow only Minto residents to use water from the municipal water system was defeated, with only Colwell and Anderson voting in favor.
A motion to approve the bulk water policy as presented, to implement the new bulk water charges and to remove water restrictions (i.e. alternate day lawn watering) for Minto customers was approved 4-3 in a recorded vote.
Bridge, Faulkner, Turton and Elliott voted in favor, with Dirksen, Colwell and Anderson opposed.
The new policy allows for an annual maximum of 0.725% of total water consumption – or about 5,050 cubic metres – to be used as bulk water.
The policy also stipulates:
– there is no exclusivity to any one company;
– companies must apply in writing to the overall responsible operator (ORO) Wayne Metzger and pre-pay for all bulk water;
– no bulk water is given if there is any kind of water restriction in place for any regular Minto customer;
– the ORO can deny any request at any time, and will report annually (at budget) about how much bulk water is taken; and
– the town can shut off supply of bulk water at any time with no consequence and is saved harmless from any action regarding supply of water.
The policy sets a fee of $3/m3 plus $100 per written application to the ORO. At that rate, total revenue from 5,050m3 of water in one season (about 180 loads) would be $15,150 plus the $100 administration fee(s).
