The Municipality of Chester plans to hold a plebiscite on whether or not to invest in a public water utility.
Residents of the Village of Chester get their water from wells, which has meant a lack of water during drier years and increased exposure to certain bacteria.
An initial report estimates it would cost $48 million for the water lines and a treatment plant.
Warden Allen webber hopes the federal and provincial governments to pay for 75 per cent of the project.
But he says it will be important to get community buy in because of the cost.
“The 25 per cent that we know we will not get from other levels of government, that capital cost has to be born by those who have the ability to connect, whether they choose to connect or not,” says Webber.
“And that’s why we’re holding the plebiscite, you know because there are people who do not need water, there are people on fixed incomes.”
A yearly rate of $850 for the first 10 years is being proposed, which would drop to around $670 a year for the next 15 years.
Webber says the project would not go ahead unless all funding was secured.
The municipality hired CBCL Ltd. in 2016 to provide reports regarding water quality and quantity issues, as well as possible solutions.
Two main options are available for a water supply – ground water or lake-fed.
If the municipality goes ahead with the water system, it would take an estimated five years to design and complete the project.
Letters have been sent out to landowners, outlining the details of an upcoming poll that will measure their support.
Public information sessions are set for December 11 from 6 until 8 p.m. and January 15 at the Chester Area Middle School.
The plebiscite will conclude January 26 with an in person poll, the results of which will be announced at a council meeting in February.
Council will make the final decision, based on several key factors including landowner support, funding, as well as health, economic, and environmental implications.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
