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Huron Expositor, 2003-12-17, Page 66 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 17, 2003 Dominion Driver Training Wishing to remind you of their 4 Day Course Dec. 22, 2003 In Clinton and Exeter ( Exeter class has moved to the Town Hall) 8 WEEK COURSES CLINTON FEB. 4/04 To register call Carol Blake 527 - 1891 or 1-800-665-3027 Visit our Web Page for more information www.dominiondrivertraining.on.ca Happy Holidays It's a time for reflection and memories, and a time for celebrations, too. We hope your holiday brings many happy thoughts of Christmases past, but most of all, we hope that this will be the best one yet. Thanks for helping to make this year a very happy one for us. We look forward to your continued patronage. From everyone at • O'Rourke Transport Inc. RR 1, Dublin 519-345-2913 Christmas carolling at Maplewood Manor Susan Hundertmark photos Above, St. James junior choir members Tommy Garrick, Jeremy Chisholm and Jason Poppe sing their hearts out as at left, their music teacher Jennifer Zutt encourages more volume as students sang to residents of Maplewood Manor in Seaforth last Wednesday. Huron East expected to decide whether to loin Exeter pipeline nroiect By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Huron East council was expected to decide Last night if the municipality wants to hire an engineer to explore the costs of joining the South Huron pipeline project that could connect Exeter with Lake Huron. "We went over to investigate. We have to look at all the options," said Huron East Clerk - Administrator Jack McLachlan Monday. He said Public Works Coordinator John Forrest and Seaforth Coun. Lou Maloney were in attendance at a meeting last week in Sonth oIL BHANG SPECIA We'II get you in. out and on the road with a fast. complete oil change. OIL CHANGE ONLY $ 2 4 " PLUS FILTER Includes chassis lube. oil replacement with up to 5 litres of Quaker State 10W30 motor oil. plus free 10 -point inspection, QSIATER CaII 527-2291 for your appointment before December 31. 2003 for this special price. MOTOR PRODUCTS aso AUTOMOTIVE SALES • SERVICE 220 Main Street S. Seaforth 527-2291 Huron discussing whether a pipeline or two new wells would better serve the Exeter area. "They (South Huron) sent a proposal to us and we will take it to council. In the meantime, we'll continue to explore the groundwater in Seaforth," said McLachlan. But, Maloney said during an interview Monday that he doubts council will vote to proceed to hire an engineer to explore costs of joining the pipeline. "It's just out of the question for Seaforth. We couldn't afford a pipeline. They'd need a bigger line to come to Hensall and an even bigger one to come to Seaforth but I think we're too far away," he said. While Huron East has hired Burns Ross Engineering to study whether or not the Welsh Street well can provide enough water for Seaforth at an acceptable quality, that study is not expected to be complete until mid -summer. Maloney said the $1.7 emillion needed to upgrade Seaforth's wells would be cheap compared to the $15 to $20 million he expects it would cost for Seaforth to join the pipeline. "Seaforth just needs a good well. If we could find a well without radon we'd have all kinds of water," he said. A decision is expected early in the new year on whether future water needs for the Exeter area will be met by two new wells or lake water pipeline. Engineer Steve Burns explained Dec. 10 to a 111(11 'ill(' 1 �Ifl c_J (1( Poutihil LET OUR ABUNDANT STAFF HELP YOU WRAP UP CHRISTMAS1 LEATHER & WOOL COTS • BLANKETS • MOHAIR 'h RO'.. • S:.EATERS • SCAR. t_ • MEN'S THURSDAY. DEC OBER 18...9 9 1 Mile South of Blyth on High;voy .a 9_523- 4595 handful of citizens and nearly a full complement of councillors from South Huron and Bluewater municipal councils the difference in cost of the waterline at $11.6 million is 80 per cent greater than the cost of the groundwater option at $6.9 million. Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson told the forum Hensall water users are interested in South Huron's decision. "We're not here to influence your decision but the pipeline would influence our decision. When would we know when we could buy capacity if you chose the pipeline and what would be that cost?" Dowson said. "You'll know mid to late January what the potential costs might be. We still need discussion on allocation of costs," responded engineer Burns. "Hensall people have waited a long time for a decision. We're pressured to decide," Dowson said. "We have been approached by another municipality. That will influence our decision," said South Huron Mayor Rob Morley, without revealing the municipality. "But they're just hiring their engineer now." Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin told South Huron council he had informal talks with Huron East's Mayor Lin Steffler before the municipal election in mid-November. Urlin told The Lakeshore Advance he chatted with Steffler over coffee about Huron East's problems with radon in a well in the former Town of Seaforth and possible interest in Exeter's option to build a waterline. Steffler did not run in the last municipal election. South Huron clerk Sandra Strang said though no attendance was taken, Burns noted in his summary of the meeting attendance of some Huron East councillors. Responding to a question from a citizen about whether future water needs for Zurich, Hensall, Dashwood and Mitchell have been considered, Burns replied communities south of Exeter to Strathroy are already connected to the London lake water pipeline and St. Marys, West Perth and Mitchell need nothing more. "The only interested one might be Huron East. Bluewater has an interest," said Burns. Burns presented the same information provided to South Huron council on Nov. 3 but in greater detail about problems with existing wells, Exeter's future water demands and costs. Problems with Exeter's four existing wells and a spring - fed supply link to the province's new and stricter regulations under the Ontario Drinking Water Regulations, created after tragedy in Walkerton with one deadly incident of E.coli-laced drinking water. Burns said one well and the spring -fed supply now require improved disinfection and filtration. Nitrates in the water exceed provincial standards at one well periodically, at the spring well regularly and at another well occasionally. There is a request from an industrial customer for 900 cubic metres of water daily. There is also deterioration of the Kirkton water pipeline. Future plans for Exeter include Dashwood, Crediton, Centralia and Huron Park. Burns said estimated population growth in these small communities could reach 2,800 people in 40 years. Other considerations, Burns outlined, are groundwater sources now requiring identification of a wellhead protection area to ensure no surface contamination; possible supply to Hensall; long-term supply beyond 20 years and growth beyond 20 years. Drilling two new wells would guarantee water supply for 20 years, said Burns, but a Lake Huron pipeline would guarantee supply for 40 years when Exeter's estimated population could double to 8,200 people. Burns also estimated revenue for the project including a 33 per cent provincial grant which could total $1.8 million, a 20 -year debenture at an estimated three per cent interest and projected water rates. The Lake Huron pipeline option includes the purchase of land at the intersection of Airport Line and Huron Street on which to build a booster pumping station and reservoir. rP.14474 MEN'S NIGHT Thurs. Dec. 18, 5 pm - 9 pm (,r)(: coal :ct 11V,1i) you '`, t (;ift. �,I E LIS