Municipal Counsellors aiding in Bylaw 2015-39 decision

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Municipal Counsellors have been asked to take on the task of making a decision on behalf of the Lakes of Muirfield residents for the ongoing wastewater issue that have hampered the area for the last two years.
Hugh Ham, who is the Barrister and Solicitor for the wastewater issue, has been granted an approximate one month extension to hold a public hearing with the people of Muirfield and Wheatland County council to further discuss the many factors in regards to DC Bylaw 2015-39.
Hugh discussed how the process started when Lakes of Muirfield was approved and the arrangement for the wastewater gathering disposal at Rockyview County’s wastewater facility in Langdon.
According to Hugh, the first portion of the pipeline was built; however, the second portion was never built because the wastewater volume was not anywhere near where the Rockyview County had anticipated where it would be.
“Rockyview did not build the balance of the pipeline,” said Hugh.
“I haven’t yet seen that contract and it’s not my job to fight about it. For whatever reason, Rockyview was able to say ‘sorry for your luck.’ Rockyview initially paid for trucking costs but that was costing a quarter of a million dollars a year. Rockyview said ‘we’re not going to absorb that cost,’ it’s going to have to paid for by the residents.”
Now Wheatland County is looking for a solution to the issue and Ham said the direct control bylaw they are proposing would essentially say that any more development, including single family houses, would require a development permit.
However, he did caution there will be no issuing of a development permit until there is a wastewater system in place.
“That may appear to put pressure on the developer when in fact it really does potentially really hurt the owners of the houses that are already built,” said Ham.
He added this DC Bylaw is not the solution and thinks there is a resolution in the works but is uncertain as to when it will happen, which is a reason why he had asked for the one-month extension. He is essentially waiting for approval from Alberta Environment to build a wastewater treatment system, where the treated water will be shipped by a pipeline up to a ranch to be used for spray and irrigation.
“The concept is to link the utilities of Muirfield to the Homesteads at Lyalta together,” said Hugh. “Muirfield would provide potable water to the Homestead and the Homesteads would provide wastewater to Muirfield. My task over the next weeks is that isn’t just a ‘pipe dream.'”
Hugh hopes this concept is in an effort to go back to council with a solution and present how real versus how unreal it is and how long the process will take while trying to settle for those residences which are paying around $400 in wastewater feews.
Additionally, once there is a settlement made, there is potential for the residents to pay a fraction of what the fee is now.
He added that the best solution will be to find a developer who will come up with a plan to build the project in time for next fall.
Wheatland County was unavailable for comment and will wait until the Dec. 8 public hearing to come out with more information.