To the Expositor:
In response to your story ‘Hike in Sheg water rates’ (March 14, Page 3).
As someone who has taken a vested interest in the Assiginack water rates for the last few years, where we have seen in working with staff and council a very small increase or a reduction in the rates, and are expecting a reduction for 2018, I can offer this:
The single biggest cost of clean water in Assiginack and NEMI, and I assume other towns based on the information I’ve gathered, is the invoice the towns receive from the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA). OCWA is the company that looks after the running of the town’s water plants and lagoons. This government agency was formed after the Walkerton incident where people died due to unsafe water. They are hired by the towns to ensure that we have clean water. They do a good job, and we do have clean water. Their billings, however, account for over 50 percent of the total costs. Included in what they charge is a built in 16 percent profit! That’s right, the government agency charges us a 16 percent profit. There are also other extra costs associated with water plants and lagoons such as Hydro and repairs, but if not monitored correctly, these “extras” could become a major cost.
I have been pressing Assiginack to have a plan for hydro or implement better controls on hydro use for two years. Though there is some progress, we still have a way to go. We must remember that water bills are calculated, at least in NEMI and Assiginack, by taking the total cost of the water operations divided by the number of users. It has nothing to do with any town costs such as new garages, firehalls or trucks. I have seen both the recent contracts with OCWA for NEMI and Assiginack and, in my opinion, there is some “fat” in the contracts, especially the 16 percent profit.
There is a lot that can be done to lower water and sewer rates, but we all need to participate: 1) ask your town to monitor and improve on hydro usage. 2) Conserve water where you can. 3) Don’t pump your sump water into the sewer, less water to the lagoon means less cost to treat or perhaps smaller lagoon size, thus less cost. 4) Report leaks to your town. 5) Write to your provincial government and tell them you’re not happy with being charged a 16 percent profit.
Perhaps if the Island townships work together as one to negotiate an Island-wide contract with OCWA, a reduced cost would be attainable? You and I both know having all the towns work to this goal has as much chance as a snowball in July, but it may save all water users some money in the end.
Phil Blake
Sunsite Estates
Assiginack
