No expression of interest to be submitted for Inverhuron water and sewer project

Despite a last-ditch effort to convince Kincardine council to apply for new funding for the Inverhuron water and sewer project, the expression of interest will be for the Connaught Park sewage upgrades instead.

At council's Sept. 2 meeting, the decision on this issue was deferred to allow for more public input.

The $9-million Inverhuron water and sewer project received two-thirds funding from the federal and provincial governments six years ago, but delays in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process, opposition from residents, and a legal challenge, prompted council to decide in July to cut its losses and proceed no further with the project.

However, Sept. 2 another source of funding was announced, Canada's Small Communities Fund (SCF), with the federal and provincial governments each providing $272-million over 10 years. Eligible projects include highways and major roads, water, wastewater, public transit, solid waste management, green energy, innovation, connectivity and broadband, brownfield remediation, disaster mitigation, local/regional airports, short-line rail, and short-sea shipping.

Staff recommended that an expression of interest be submitted for the Inverhuron water and sewer project. Under the SCF program, the municipality's contribution would be capped at one-third of the total project cost, similar to the original 2009 Building Canada Fund. The expression of interest is due Sept. 30, and projects must be completed by Oct. 31, 2021.

Also under consideration for the SCF grant, was the Connaught Park sewage upgrades.

In committee-of-the-whole last night (Sept. 16), chief administrative officer Murray Clarke presented further information, supporting the staff recommendation from Sept. 2, that council should seek funding for the Inverhuron project.

"Without going into detail, the Screening Report for the Inverhuron Environmental Assessment (EA), completed in January, 2012, paints a stark picture of failing private septic systems, contaminated private water supplies, and the associated risks to public health," states his report. "The report also details concerns respecting predicted flow of contaminants toward the lake.

"It is rare that a major water or sewer infrastructure project proceeds without a degree of controversy or opposition, in fact, this is to be expected. However, when a partnership opportunity arises to secure funding for two-thirds of such a major infrastructure project, with such clear benefits, the notion of over-riding public good should be given significant weight."

Clarke also pointed out that the municipality has invested millions of dollars in the Huron Ridge subdivision, including all new stormwater infrastructure. Subsequently, the pressure on the Connaught pumping station has eased, and there has not been a high-level alarm at the station since 2011, despite a number of significant rainfall events.

He said the primary purpose of the Connaught project was to upgrade the facility to accommodate the West Ridge on the Lake subdivision (old Hartwick Farm land). However, there is no clear prediction when that development will proceed, so that project is aimed at residents who are not yet here, said Clarke. "The Inverhuron project, by contrast, is directed at addressing priority public health and property issues for residents and owners who are here now, and have been in the community, in some cases, for generations."

Council heard from Grant Hopcroft and Paul Axman, who live in Inverhuron and were on the EA steering committee. Both said they were surprised and disappointed that council did not support staff's recommendation Sept. 2 to submit an expression of interest for the SCF funding for the Inverhuron water and sewer project.

"I have great difficulty reconciling this action with the motion adopted by council just two months ago, to 'accept that the project not proceed and the file be closed and set aside unless and until a future opportunity arises to reactivate the initiative'," said Hopcroft. "What has changed since the July vote that this project is not a priority for the majority of Kincardine council?"

He drew attention to the letter of support from the Grey Bruce Health Unit, which was attached to the original Building Canada Fund application. It states that more than 20 per cent of private wells in Inverhuron have adverse water quality results, and raises concern about the safety of the underground water aquifers in the area.

At that time, the health unit provided information that about 70 per cent (276) of the developed properties in the Inverhuron project area are serviced by septic systems that have been in use for more than 25 years and are considered substandard. Plus, 60 per cent of the properties are too small to support a traditional sewage disposal system, and 22 per cent of properties are too small to support a well and septic system.

"Since Sept. 2, I have spoken to many in the Inverhuron community, and the almost-unanimous view is that council needs to support this SCF application now," said Hopcroft. "Once SCF funding is confirmed, they also want council to move quickly to deal with the highest priority areas and establish some certainty about phasing for the entire community."

Axman said there has been considerable talk about a scaled-back project and which areas are more in need.

"I submit to council that while some areas have a higher density of properties requiring relief, there are, in fact, properties all through the settlement that require assistance," he said. "This is also a question of risk not just need. Inasmuch as some groups are advocating a piecemeal approach, the proper solution is to do the entire job if we have funding available."

Committee-of-the-whole debated the issue for far too long, bringing up the fact that last year, SCF grants were in the area of $500,000 to $2-million, which is not enough to cover two-thirds of the $9-million Inverhuron project.

Deputy mayor Jacqueline Faubert said other municipalities, such as Huron-Kinloss and Bruce County, are applying for smaller projects. Huron-Kinloss' is for repairs to a standing water pipe, she said.

Councillor Maureen Couture argued that Kincardine successfully completed a lengthy EA for the Inverhuron water and sewer project, which was a model of public consultation and transparency.

"We are 30 miles from Walkerton," she said. "Have we forgotten the seven deaths and 2,500 people who became sick from contaminated drinking water? As individual councillors, we are liable to provide safe drinking water for our residents. The EA clearly shows a need for these services. The majority of Inverhuron wants this project, let's not let them down."

Councillor Laura Haight echoed that sentiment, noting that Gordon Barr of Inverhuron was in the audience. He originally brought the issue to council in 2007, asking if the municipality could help bring water and sewer services to Inverhuron.

Haight said there has been a lot of misinformation spread about this project, and any number of different figures for the cost of servicing Inverhuron - from $30,000 per property, to $52,000, to $60,000. "We agreed in July to move forward if grant money became available. Is this a higher priority than Connaught Park? I believe it is. There is no other way to fund Inverhuron water and sewer. People need these services to live in their cottages."

Councillor Andrew White pointed out that if council favours the Connaught Park project, it still has to deal with the close-to-$500,000 cost for the Inverhuron EA process.

"We have water and sewer reserves to cover that," said councillor Randy Roppel. "Where was council's responsibility regarding that cost, back in 2007?"

"The users of the system were going to pay for those costs," said Haight.

Councillor Linda McKee said her challenge is that even if Kincardine gets about $2-million in grant money, the municipality is still on the hook for a "helluva debt load."

"You can't win the lottery, if you don't buy a ticket," said Haight. "It's an unlimited grant, not $500,000 to $2-million. We will know if we make the cut at the expression of interest stage."

Later in council session, the deferred motion to submit an expression of interest for the Connaught Park sewage upgrades was approved by a recorded vote of 5-3. In favour were Faubert, McKee, Roppel, councillor Gordon Campbell and mayor Anne Eadie; while against were Haight, Couture and White. Councillor Mike Leggett was absent.