ERIN – Uncertainty remains surrounding the timing of when sanitary sewer construction will advance in existing neighbourhoods.
This was one of the points discussed at an Erin council meeting Thursday afternoon in an update on the wastewater project presented by the director of infrastructure services and town engineer Brian Kavanagh- who asked that council approve providing approximately $100,000 from a rate reserve to inform the creation of the sanitary sewer connection bylaw.
"There's a lot of details that need to be determined and this planning exercise will help us...the $100,000 for next year is just the start of the conceptual design," said Kavanagh.
Inspired by a council motion in December 2023, the update included finances, scheduling, potential cost overruns and a set of recommendations for how existing property owners can manage their septic systems until the time of hookup.
It also clarified how to institute a sewer connection bylaw and a summary of how to advocate for "funding necessary for connection of existing houses and businesses to the wastewater system."
Regarding the funding for existing neighbourhood wastewater systems, a related report said that successfully implementing wastewater collection systems "relies heavily" on securing grant funding from the Provincial and/or Federal government.
When asked for a timeline on hookups, Kavanagh said grant funding is "challenging to guess" and he would be hesitant to put a number on it.
"There is uncertainty regarding the timing of potential grant funding that would allow for the advancement of sanitary sewer construction in existing neighbourhoods," said staff in the report. "This uncertainty can be challenging for residents and business owners who are managing septic system lifecycle requirements, and for those considering buying, renovating, expanding or selling property in town."
Going forward, council approved submitting an application to the Intake II of the Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund and preparing a draft sanitary sewer connection bylaw- informed through public consultation, to "provide insight" into future sanitary sewer connection requirements with "flexible terms to lessen financial impacts."
A report will return to council with updates on grant funding outcomes, a draft sewer connection bylaw and technical and financial planning details.
In a separate report to council in November 2024, an interim sanitary sewer rate will be sought to contribute to the funding of wastewater services provided to recently occupied and soon-to-be-occupied homes.
The interim sanitary sewer rate is planned to be in place until actual operating and maintenance expenses for the wastewater system can be gathered.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
