MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake Genia Leskiw told Bonnyville town council to wait and see what happens in the City of Cold Lake election before deciding how to approach the town's water problem.
She said depending on the outcome of the election, the make-up of the Regional Utilities and Services Commission (RUSC) could look different than it does today.
In the meantime, she said the town should apply for upgrades to the Bonnyville Water Treatment Facility while continuing to work on getting water from Cold Lake.
Coun. Ray Prevost told Leskiw that water treatment methods have changed since the Town's water plant was built.
“I wonder if you're not putting the band-aid on the broken leg by spending five or three or four million dollars on a plant that's already 30 years old,” he said.
He said the Town needs to meet new standards for 2012, but that the province will issue new standards the year after to be met by 2017. The town could need more upgrades in five years even after upgrading to meet 2012 standards, he said.
He added that the price of the water supply line, identified as $62 million, seemed high.
Leskiw agreed with councillors that Cold Lake water would be the best option for Bonnyville.
The cost of upgrading the town's water treatment plant is unknown, but was estimated at $6 million in August. A new study would have to be conducted to determine what the cost is to meet new standards by 2012. Councillors suggested the new standards could increase the price of an upgrade significantly.
Coun. Lorna Storoshcuk said even after the election, the City will still have majority of votes on the RUSC, while the MD has one, and Bonnyville none. She asked Leskiw if the government would consider a different make-up to give Bonnyville a say on the commission.
“If it's regional, it should be equal say for everybody,” Storoschuk said.
“I don't know how you call something regional when it's dominated and dictated by one municipality,” agreed Mayor Ernie Isley. He said the RUSC should be turned into a truly regional commission, add Bonnyville to the mix, and adjust membership to reflect the population.
Isley wrote a letter to Rob Renner, Min. of Env., and Luke Ouellette this summer, which said the Town had three options to meet 2012's deadline. One option listed creating a new commission to replace the RUSC.
Town CAO Mark Power explained why he'd like the town to abandon Moose Lake. “There's particles in the water…people don't like to drink it when it's that colour.”
Regulations require “nearly everything” to be taken out of the water, he said. “It's very costly to treat it,” he said, noting that new regulations will make it more costly. Over 30 years or longer, starting with a pristine source of water is a better business plan, he said.
“We need to stop making bad decisions based on, ‘well, it's only going to cost $6 million capital-wise,' and the Town of Bonnyville is going to incur a fortune in costs for the next 25 years when you pro-rate the two,” said Coun. Gene Sobolewski regarding the plant upgrade option.
Coun. Jim Cheverie noted that Renner's letter to council called Moose Lake water “less than suitable,” which he said is “as close to unsuitable as you can get.”
