Muirfield wants results

Times Contributor

 

A robust letter campaign to Wheatland County council from residents living in the Lakes of Muirfield outlined six years of trouble with sewage disposal from their homes. 

When Wheatland County approved the development, approval was given with the understanding the subdivision had a contract to hook sewage into Rocky View County infrastructure. The sewage would be processed at the Langdon sewage treatment plant. Lakes of Muirfield residents would pay their wastewater levies to Rocky View to cover their portion of the proposed infrastructure development. The original $2.6 million cost sharing agreement was signed in 2007.

Rocky View County stated the agreement was signed with the prospect of a booming economy, cooperation of other partners in the project, and government support for regional partnership for infrastructure plans. See www.rockyview.ca Media Centre Jan. 23, 2013-Muirfield Backgrounder.

However, in 2008-2009, a series of events made everything fall apart, leading to no infrastructure and no access to the Langdon sewage treatment plant for Muirfield. To compensate, Rocky View council agreed to truck the sewage to the Chestermere plant, on a fee for service basis. Rocky View underestimated the costs incurred and had to raise fees to recover the approximate $235,000 per year it was paying to deliver the service. It raised fees in January 2013. 

Muirfield residents feel that Wheatland County has some responsibility to provide sewage treatment for their residents. Rocky View residents have made complaints that the service should not be given to Wheatland County residents. Muirfield residents are angry and want solutions to the problem.

“They are taxpayers in Wheatland County. We should try and assist them and find solutions,” said Councillor Ken Sauve. “They need someone to carry the ball.”

Councillor Ben Armstrong suggested that there are many new Green Technologies for sewage treatment. He suggested some agreement could be developed to utilize such a system for Muirfield. He suggested that council listen to a presentation by one of the suppliers. A presentation has been set for the June 10 Council meeting.

Councillors discussed that they would like to meet with Rocky View County and the Muirfield residents to facilitate a solution for the issue. Councillor Brenda Knight requested that each resident’s letter be answered; indicating their concerns were heard and steps were initiated to move forward on the issue. They directed Chief Administrative Officer Alan Parkin to reply with a response from council and mail the response to each individual who had contacted council. Letters were sent out last week.