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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-03-19, Page 7More than a thousand free rain barrels will soon be made available to Wingham homeowners to participate in a pilot project to be conducted by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and the Twp. of North Huron. The IBC/Wingham Rain Barrel Pilot Project will determine whether the use of rain barrels is one effective way of keeping basements dry during intense rainstorms. “We’re delighted to have Wingham on board for this important study,” said Mary Lou O’Reilly, IBC’s vice-president of Public Affairs. “This community meets all of the necessary criteria, including a history of sewer overflows and flooded basements during intense rainstorms,” she added. The free rain barrels, with a retail value of $75 each, will be distributed at the second annual Wingham Health and Wellness Fair on May 27 at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex. “We are also impressed with how readily reeve Neil Vincent and council embraced the project and how committed the community’s leaders are to the township’s adaptation to the growing reality of severe weather,” O’Reilly added. Intense rainstorms, which are occurring more frequently in many parts of the country, including Wingham, are widely attributed to climate change. Typically, sewer back-ups and flooding occur during these periods of intense rainfall because outdated municipal infrastructures do not have the capacity to handle the downpours. This can result in damage that is costly for homeowners, municipalities, and the insurance industry, as well. “Overloading of our water and sewer system is a growing problem in this region, and we are interested in anything that will prevent the type of flooding we saw here as recently as last fall,” stated councillor Greg McClinchey. He also emphasized that the rain barrel project will not change any existing plans to improve basic surface and sewer infrastructure in the area. “Today more than ever, people want to do what they can to help the environment. By getting involved in this pilot project, Wingham residents can take pride in the fact that they are doing something tangible to help their community and other communities across the country that will be following our progress with great interest,” O’Reilly said. The success of the pilot project depends on the participation of Wingham homeowners. Proper use of the rain barrels is also an important factor. Each barrel must be emptied regularly by using water collected in the barrels to water lawns and gardens, to wash cars or for other outdoor chores. “A simple rain barrel seems like a small thing,” O’Reilly noted. “But if an entire community works together to help prevent sewer system overflows and, at the same time, reduces the demand for treated water from the township, it can make a big difference. And if more communities follow Wingham’s lead, the benefits can only escalate.” IBC and the Wingham Water and Waste Water Facility Chief Operator consulted with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and Environment Canada to establish measurement criteria for the pilot. The Twp. of North Huron has installed a Davis Weather Station Vantage Pro 2 to track the intensity and temperature of rainfall around the clock. In addition, the station will be used to determine how much the use of rain barrels reduces the incidence of sewer back-ups and overflows for each rainfall. Because rain barrels contribute to water conservation, the pilot will also keep track of reductions in the use of treated water. Later this month, IBC will launch an information campaign in Wingham with print and radio ads toencourage homeowners to take partin the pilot. Additional informationabout the pilot project is avail-able at www.ibc.ca andwww.northhuron.ca. Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent nearly95 per cent of the property andcasualty (P&C) insurance market inCanada. The P&C insuranceindustry employs over 110,000Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $38 billion. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009. PAGE 7.Wingham chosen for innovative pilot project Pilot project Wingham has been chosen for a pilot project that will see households getting more than a drip in the bucket. The Insurance Bureau of Canada is distributing 45 gallon barrels to 1,000 homes to study whether this is an effective way of keeping basements dry during intense rainstorms. A luncheon to announce the program was held Monday. From left: North Huron clerk-administrator Kriss Snell, councillor Greg McClinchey, Mary Lou O’Reilly, vice-president of public affairs for IBC, reeve Neil Vincent and deputy-reeve Murray Scott. (Robertson Photographic, Wingham) BBQ Season is coming, time to stock-up! FEED STORES DUNGANNON 519-529-7951•1-800-665-5675 WALTON 519-887-6023 COUNTRY STORE WALTON 519-887-8429 Spend $25 or more on any combination of beef, chicken, turkey or pork products and receive 10%off your total! Featuring: Jerry Rader products, Norpac & West Grey beef, Hayter’s turkey products and local pork. Start planning your gardens ~ Seed potatoes, several varieties of onions and package seeds coming soon! Special expires March 31st, 2009 NOTICE TO DOG OWNERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY 2009 Dog Tags and licences are now available (Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm) at the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry Municipal Office, 41342 Morris Rd. R.R. 4, Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 *** Tags can be picked up in person or ordered by telephone*** All dogs must be licensed in compliance with By-law No. 63-2004. A copy of the complete By-law is available for review at the Municipal Office. All dogs must be identified by means of a tag and licence, issued for a (1) one year period by: Friday, April 24, 2009 The fee schedule shall be as follows: 1/All Dogs (except those listed in #2) - males, females, and spayed females $20.00 per dog 2/Pit bulls, Pit bull crosses, Staffordshire terriers $100.00 per dog 3/Kennel Licence Fee $75.00 (for a kennel of dogs that are registered or eligible for registration under the Animal Pedigree Act) 4/Late Payment Charge $20.00 per dog (Shall be assessed in addition to the licence fee, if the licence and/or tag is not purchased by April 24th) Excrement: The By-law requires dog owners to forthwith remove excrement left by a dog, from property other than the premises of the owner of the dog. Any person contravening this provision is subject to a $50.00 fee. For further information contact: The Municipality of Morris-Turnberry Telephone: 519-887-6137 Fax: 519-887-6424 E-mail: morris@scsinternet.com