New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

Safe_water_for_sydneham

Feature Article February 26

Feature Article February 26, 2004

LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb Home

Contact Us

Safe Water for Sydenham?

The Problem; what the experts say:

"The water sampling confirmed that the bacteriological quality of water in this (Sydenham) area is poor. Approximately 40% of samples exceeded provincial guidelines for bacteriological water quality...There are remedies to address bacteriological quality, some more effective than others. The definitive solution to this problem is to have a secure supply of water that is treated and monitored." (Dr Gemmill, Medical Officer of Health, Nov/03)

"Removal of subsurface disposal systems will not have an immediate beneficial effect on the groundwater quality....the municipality needs to proceed immediately with corrective action to address this (health related) issue." (Memo from f. Crossley, Hydrogeologist, to J. Allen, Area Supervisor, Ministry of Environment. Nov/03)

The MOE review (Nov/03) concludes: "There are persistent groundwater quality problems within the Village of Sydenham and corrective actions are required to address the issue."

The Plan:

South Frontenac Township proposes to install a water treatment plant, drawing water from Sydenham Lake, to serve the core area of Sydenham Village.

The Players:

There are two main groups involved: Sydenham Safe Water Association [SSWA], representing the village residents opposed to the present plan of constructing a water treatment facility for the village, and the Sydenham Water Committee [SWC], the committee of South Frontenac Council that is responsible for overseeing the process of constructing a water treatment facility.

Some of the Numbers:

SSWA has pulled together some numbers for the project. At present, two of these figures are agreed upon by both groups as definite: the amount of the government grant [$3,681,384 - a little less than 2/3 the original project estimate of $5,618,000], and the [re]negotiated amount the Limestone Board will contribute [$665,000.] Together, these total $4,346,384. The difference between that amount and the actual cost of the project is the amount that will be divided between the participating homeowners and businesses in the village. Homeowners amounts will be based on the road frontage of each property.

Property owners will have two more major expenses: the cost of bringing the water from the main line into the house, and hooking up to their plumbing (unofficial estimates run from $2,500 up), and an ongoing utility fee to pay for plant maintenance and water use.

The total cost of the project is uncertain. The tender for the plant, $2,684,000 is still current. Engineering is listed at $711,384. The other tenders, for water intake ($227,000), storage tank ($814,000), and distribution ($2,827,570) have officially run out, so may or may not be the same in another month or so. Total of these figures is: $7,263,954 not including GST, which the Township does not have to pay, but the homeowners might be charged.

A Viable Alternative?

The SSWA recommends point-of-use treatment, ie, installing treatment systems on individual water sources, which would include reverse osmosis, water softener and ultra violet light. Based on current costs provided by qualified suppliers in Kingston, they estimate a total installation cost which would average $1,155 per individual household, plus annual maintenance. (To arrive at this, installation figures were reduced by 20% for contracting out for more than 10 households, then increased by 10% for contingencies.)

The SSWA used Township figures from their October 2003 water testing to arrive at 100 households "calculated on a conservative basis to have contaminated water." From these figures, it would appear that every household and business in the village could install point-of-use treatment for much less than the present project - then go on to seek funding assistance for sewage collection and treatment.

However, Bill 170/03 may require all "public facilities" to develop approved water treatment systems by 2005. Unless public water or funding assistance is provided, this may create hardship for local churches, restaurants, and public halls.

What the Villagers say: SSWA surveyed 172 households: 159, or over 92% wanted the project put on hold until alternative solutions could be explored. These 159 households represent 76% of the total property owners. The SSWA is presently waiting for a response from MPP Leona Dombrowsky, whom theyve asked to meet with.

Present Status of the Sydenham Water Program:

On hold, until the Township gets an answer to their request for more government funding. Next water committee meeting is Friday, Feb. 27, 7pm, at the Township hall in Sydenham.

A Question:

Why is the Township insistent on proceeding with such an expensive project, in the face of strong opposition from the population that is supposed to benefit from it?

With the participation of the Government of Canada