Times Advocate, 1999-06-09, Page 17Wednesday, 9, 1999
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17
C�mmUnity
Exeter turns offAfisable River supply tap Monkeying around
By Craig Bradford
T1MES-ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — Ausable River water will
not find its way through Exeter's taps
anymore.
Exeter council made the decision to
not reinstate the river water supply to
increase the town's water capacity at
Monday night's meeting after a report
from engineer Steve Burns of B.M. Ross
and Associates.
Nabisco had asked the town to look
into reinstating the river supply to meet
the factory's needs. The town is also
looking to secture 4t . 'ater supply to
avoid a shortage during a drought simi-
lar to last summer's.
Nabisco's long-term water needs have
been reduced substantially, going from
an anticipated annual rate of 50,000 sq.
metres to 20,000 sq. metres.
Burns said Nabisco's reduction in use
means the strain on the system is com-
ing from other sources. In '98, non -
Nabisco maximum day usage increased
by 40 per cent.
The cost to reinstate the river supply
for 640 households would be about
$665,000 but would increase the water
rate from 32e per customer to $1.50 to
meet the operating costs.
Coun. Peter Armstrong motioned to
till) reinstate the river supply and try to
negotiate with Nabisco and Suntastic,
who have also inquired about increasing
their water capacity, to see if they want-
ed to take over the river supply if they
need it. The motion passed unanimous-
ly.
Another option called for water meters
to be installed , at 115 Exeter homes at
$L 130.per.. household or a total. of
$36,000. Burns said installing the
meters (usually at theater customers
expense) and increasing tie water and
sewer rates to about $500 per year per
residential and small commercial cus-
tomerwould see residential water con-
suinptirnt decline and lead to capacity
that could serve 480ftiore homes.
He concluded the water conservation
program (installing; meters) has more
benefit and less risk than reinstating the
river supply.
Expanding the Stephen water pipeline
was also discussed. Expanding the
pipeline would increase water capacity
to serve 1,150 homes with meters ,or
800 homes without meters.
Last year's drought caused Exeter's
water capacity to go from having
enough to service 700 new homes to no
reserves at all.
Burns said Exeter is not in a "panic sit-
uation" but council agree something
needs to be done to secure capacity.
"I don't think we need to rush out and
do either (installing meters or expanding
the pipeline)," Burns said. "We just need
to plan ahead."
Reeve Roy Triebner suggest waiting a
year to find out how this year's con-
sumption compares with last year's
drought.
He pointed out the town recently
changed its lawn watering bylaw that
halves the number of hours homeown-
ers can water (down to a maximum of
four hours every other day).
Coun. George Robertson asked how
long Exeter has before it has to expand
the pipeline if meters and other ways of
conserving were used. Burns said the
town has 20,years give or take a few
years.
Deputy Reeve Dave Urlin asked how
Exeter stacks up with water and sewer
rates compared with similar municipali-
ties. Burns said he didn't have that
information. -
Chief administrative officer Rick
Hundey wondered if limiting lawn
watering to once a week would help
solve the capacity problem. Burns
replied once a week won't work and the
two hours every other day is sufficient.
Mayor Ben Hoogenboom said several
municipalities like Tillsonburg and
Guelph have recently banned lawn
watering.
Triebner wants more investigation into
theannual average water consumption,
not just .during drought or lawn- water-
ing times
mystery to me why we have this
maximum daily demand shoot up dray
matically," he said.
Burns was asked what results came
from a project with 30 metered house-
hold a few years ago.
Though he didn't have the specifics
with him, Burns said the results aren't
meaningful since it was such a small
study.
Armstrong wants to take another look
at commercial and industrial water
rates "so we can get our value out of it
and not undervalue it."
Burns will report back next month on
the his investigation on the true value of
Exeter water and possible priorities.
Usborne Central School students Erin Blook, left, Heather Blook and Stacy Miller
look down from some play equipment during Friday's Fun Day/Carnival at the
school.The after school festivities included a dunk tank, a scavenger hunt, penny
and Ioonie tables, nature tours, Tots of fun and games and a barbecue.The money
raised will go to new school equipment. (photo/Kim Pearce)
Parking limit
extended
EXETER — The Exeter
Ranch House and Inn has
found out there is some
truth behind the old
proverb 'ask for and ye
may receive'.
The jtanch House asked
fvor cii to rescind the
id minute parking zone in ,
front of the business it
asked for to serve as a
drop-off/unloading zone for
guests at the motel. Council
discussed the request at
Monday night's meeting.
The 10 -minute zone is
not working as intended
and the Ranch House own-
ers have realized the park-
ing need for the Ranch
House and other adjacent
businesses is for the longer
term, not just a few min-
utes. Council granted the
request.
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