Water well debate

Times Reporter     

 

At the Jan. 22 regular town council meeting Councillor Bob Sobol had a question for administration regarding water wells. He wanted to know if there are still businesses or residencies that still use private water wells for their water supply that have access to the town infrastructure. 

He also questioned if those people are paying any cost towards the waterline and infrastructure that supplies water to Strathmore and what regulations are in place that deals with private water wells in town, specifically those who have access to the town water supply.

Chief Administrative Officer Dwight Stanford said there are four residences on Centre St, one on 5 Ave, one on Waddy Lane that haven’t hooked up and are still using wells.  

“We’re not sure if there’s even the hookups,” said Stanford. 

There would be a water and sewer tie in on Centre Street but Stanford is not sure if it was ever taken to some of those properties. If the homeowner has to bring the lines to their property from the street, and have to dig up the asphalt the cost could run at $10,000. 

There is also one business that does have water hooked up right inside their building but they use a well to save money. Sobol wondered then what the town’s policy is.  

“The town policy is everybody where there is water and sewer available has to hook and has to use it. If it is water they have to have a water meter,” said Stanford.

By available it means if it is on the street there for people to hook into, it doesn’t necessarily mean the pipes already have to be at that person’s home or business. They are responsible to have water and sewer. 

Stanford said he doesn’t think the majority of the on well water is paying anything towards the water infrastructure.  

“If they wont go of off the well about the only thing you can do is, we checked a few years ago, we have to hire somebody to come in and put concrete in the well so that they cannot use it,” said Stanford.

A question was raised by Councillor John Rempel is its possible those properties were grandfathered in to the old agreement. 

It may have been option back in the day that people could have their wells, but as long as Stanford can remember people have not had a choice, they have to be tied in to town water and sewer.  There were a number of questions regarding penalties for not being tied into the water and sewer lines, and who would be responsible for the hook up and fees now that the developer is long gone. 

“We may have a buyer beware situation if the property has been sold and there’s a new purchaser in there. They have a responsibility as a purchaser to make sure all the rules and regulations are followed,” said Mayor Michael Ell. 

A motion was made to gather more information and bring it back to council at a later date. The request will include health and safety concerns, bylaw compliance, and historical context where possible and then recommendation to council with options for future action.