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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-11-10, Page 15Wednesday, November 10, 2004 Exeter Times–Advocate 15 Huron County prepares to move ahead with septic inspection By Pauline Kerr SPECIAL 10 THE T -A GODERICH — Septic systems that aren't work- ing properly have been identified as a major issue in water protection in Huron County. The recent Community Futures program had far more applications for work on septic system upgrades than there was funding available. The program was not continued by the province. The county decided last week to take the first step in dealing with the situa- tion, and on the recom- mendation of the Water Protection Steering Committee, gave the go- ahead to the health unit to begin Phase One of the Septic Re -Inspection pro- gram. This project will be paid for with $20,000 from the existing water reserve, to be placed in the 2005 health unit budget. Penny Nelligan, director of the Huron County Health Unit, told council the number of septic sys- tems in the county is unknown. She said the health unit has records on some of them but sus- pects there are many oth- ers not functioning prop- erly, on which the county has no records. The committee made five general recommen- dations to council: that council support the Clean Water Project and that funds be considered in the 2005 budget; the Septic System Re - Inspection Program be supported and funds be considered in the 2005 budget; the $100,000 Water Reserve estab- lished in 2004 be reserved for 2005 for the Clean Water Project and Septic System Re - Inspection Project and that a further $250,000 be considered in the 2005 budget; the municipality of Bluewater's request for $15,000 be denied; and the strategic directions of the Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee be supported. After a good deal of dis- cussion and a call for a recorded vote, council approved all five recom- mendations 13-3. There were two main points of contention, the first being the word "funding". Coun. Paul Klopp of Bluewater noted the rec- ommendations were a "heads -up" for budget discussions. In approving them, council was making no dollars -and -cents com- mitments but agreed to consider the items. The second was the implied support for some sort of "Healthy Futures" type of program. "If we're interested in protecting water, we have to put our money where our mouth is . . . other counties have something along these lines," said Coun. Ben Van Diepenbeek of Ashfield- Colborne-Wawanosh, in reference to the $250,000 suggested for the reserves. The concept got mixed reviews from council despite the overwhelming support for it in discus- sion at previous meetings after the termination of the Healthy Futures pro- gram. Coun. Deb Shewfelt identified the important recommendation as the one dealing with septic re -inspection, and asked about the cost. Nelligan said the plan was to use students work- ing under the direction of health inspectors, hence the recommendation for $20,000 to be taken from reserves for the project. Coun. Rob Morley of South Huron said his con- cern with both issues is what happens when the health unit goes out to do Computer training program Tyler Markham gives Steve Lewin a lesson on the Internet as part of the Community Access Program at the Exeter Library. Markham is available Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 2-5 p.m. at the Exeter branch. He will also soon be offering lessons Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Kirkton branch. (photo/Mary Simmons) a septic system inspection and finds one that fails. "What do you do if you have no money to repair it?" he asked. "There's no funding for these people . . we better have some answers to questions before we start asking the questions." Coun. Bernie MacLellan of Huron East had no problem with starting re - inspections before a fund- ing and/or loan program was in place. He said it was no differ- ent from what happens when a farmer lets liquid manure go into the river. Coun. John Bezaire of Central Huron agreed, saying if he were the one at fault, he'd get a notice to fix his septic system or close down. "It's nobody's problem but mine," he said. "Now we're looking for money to repair people's septic systems." Bezaire further noted the provincial and federal governments are good at funding short-term pro- grams and then leaving it up to the municipalities to continue them. "We can't afford it," he said. Shewfelt said the county needs to get going on the re -inspections, although he acknowledged doing so would cause problems. Nelligan noted the origi- nal intent of the Water Protection Committee was to look for grants so loans could be provided. Another related issue discussed by council was the need to work with and not duplicate the efforts of the conservation Kelly Maidens heads up to the roof of McDonald's in Exeter Friday at noon at the beginning of his second annual fundraising campaign for Easter Seals. Maidens remained on the roof until midnight Saturday. The campaign raised $4,100, surpassing last year's total of $3,900. Maidens said he was able to get off the roof in less time this year and it was much nicer weather than last year. (photo/Mary Simmons) Get a flu shot! Protect yourself and those around you Attend one of the following community clinics to get your free flu shot. Grand Bend Community Health Centre, 69 Main Street East, Grand Bend Saturday November 13 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM Hensall Medical Centre, 122 King Street, Hensall Thursday November 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Stephen Central Public School, 70042 Goshen Line, Stephen Township Saturday November 20 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Remember to wear short sleeves. For more information contact the Huron County Health Unit. Tel: 482-3416 or 1-877-837-6143 Website: www.huroncounty.ca/healthunit Beat the Bug - Protect Yourself and Those Around You! authorities. There was some discus- sion on conducting the septic re -inspections on a user -pay basis, but most councillors agreed the program should come out of public coffers — as is now the case with septic system inspections. Shewfelt noted past councils have committed to everyone paying for inspections and enforce- ment. 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