uslinch Township is undertaking a feasibility study for municipal water and sewage servicing within key portions of the township.
The area being studied includes the communities of Aberfoyle and Morriston and a swath of rural land in the northern part of the township bounded by Highway 401, Highway 6, Victoria Road and the Puslinch/Guelph boundary.
The township is looking for feedback from residents and property owners within the limits of the study area to gauge if there is interest to connect to a municipal water and sewage system, should either become available in the area.
A Sept. 6 staff report states Puslinch is surrounded by growing urban centres on all four sides with increasing demands for resources and land.
Officials say the township has been fiscally responsible on all fronts and has been operated in a very lean fashion – and it has also kept its rural character, protecting the agricultural land base and supporting local economic growth.
“At the same time, the strong and established commercial and industrial base in the township provides an opportunity to better support commercial activities and expansion through focused economic development,” states the report .
Water and sewage services in Puslinch currently consist of individual on-site wells, septic systems and a few on-site small and private communal water and sewage systems.
“To balance commercial and residential growth and considering the importance of adequate infrastructure to economic well-being, public health and water quality protection, the township has identified the need for a feasibility study to investigate servicing alternatives for the provision of water and sewage services in key areas of the township, and to explore available financial tools in preparation for the future,” states the report.
The study would consider existing servicing schemes, current and future needs, financial implications of water and sewage alternatives and public interest.
In addition to a paper-based and online survey that can be accessed though the Puslinch website, a public information centre (PIC) will be held as part of the study to discuss the servicing alternatives under consideration. A separate invitation to the PIC, to be held this fall, will include the date, time and location of the meeting.
If the study shows a municipal water and sewage servicing is feasible, a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study is necessary to move ahead.
A Class EA would include additional public communication and consultation to inform the public and provide additional opportunities for public participation in the study.
“The township appreciates that not everyone may want to connect to municipal systems,” states the report. “The study would provide an idea of how many private property/system owners desire to be provided with municipal servicing.
“Responding to the questionnaire does not commit the respondent for or against municipal water and sewage services.”
