Green request turns into health debate

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Council members failed to completely see eye-to-eye when a request to purchase 1,000 stainless steel water bottles and support Strathmore’s efforts to become more environmentally proactive by using a water dispensing station, raised hygiene and contamination concerns.
The Strathmore Sustainability Committee, which was formed as a result of the Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games last year, passed the water dispensing station on to the town as a legacy project to be used during public events. Having already been utilized during the games and at public events over the past year, the station is already booked for seven separate occasions this spring and summer. Yet when the request was made to purchase the 1,000 water bottles for a price of $4,000 to be sold at the events, Councillor Steve Grajczyk and Councillor Rocky Blokland remained hesitant about the investment, citing the maintenance and water quality as concerns.
“I’m not concerned about buying 1,000 bottles, but that water thing bothers me a bit,” said Councillor Rocky Blokland. “I just really want council to be aware of how stringent and tough these Alberta Health Service inspections are. They’re getting tougher by the year. To me, this is a little scary.”
The unit has been licensed by Alberta Health Services and is inspected regularly. Town employees are also currently working on drafting a policy focused on supervision.
Councillor Steve Grajczyk, who is a member of the Strathmore Sustainability Committee, voiced his concern about contamination and taking on too much liability but utilizing the unit. His remarks caused frustration for his fellow committee member Councillor Bob Sobol.
“We have supervision at all of these things and you are welcome to attend as one of the members of the Sustainability Committee, to assist with this,” said Councillor Bob Sobol. “We’re taking this very seriously and I’m upset that you would look at this as a health hazard, because we’re taking a lot of steps to make sure it’s not a health hazard. Our tank is inspected by Alberta Health Inspections, I don’t know how else to say that. We’re not doing this on the fly.”
The proposal aimed at purchasing each water bottle for under $4 and selling it back to the public for $5, with money going back into the Financial Stabilization Fund from which the funds were utilized. The bottles would help reduce plastic in the landfill and contain the Town of Strathmore logo with a saying, Refill not Landfill.
“We already have the tank and as far as I understand you guys are already following all the safety protocols,” said Councillor Pat Fule. “It comes down to whether you feel comfortable enough that this committee and it’s people and administration are doing their due diligence in assuring that everything is hygienic and the bottles are a completely separate motions, it’s cost-neutral.”
The motion came before council to order the bottles in time for the Get to Know Your Neighbour downtown festival. Despite opposition from Councillor Rocky Blokland, Councillor Steve Grajczyk, and Mayor Michael Ell, council passed the motion to invest in the stainless steel water bottles.