Council has authorized a Woodland Drive resident to hook up to the city’s water on the condition he pay all costs and the hook-up plan meets engineering standards.
In a letter dated Aug. 8, Troy Weil of Woodland Drive requested the city permit the connection of his parcel of land to the city water system. His home is located approximately 54 metres from the Zone 2 Woodland Drive reservoir.
“This would, of course, be at my own expense and none to the city,” Weil stated in his letter.
Weil told the Tribune his family moved into their new home a month ago, and he decided it didn’t hurt to ask. He does not have any idea of the cost.
The topic first came up at the Sept. 11 committee of the whole meeting, where council and staff discussed a recommendation from staff that Weil’s request be denied until a solution for all of Woodland Drive was finalized.
A report from engineering technologist Jeff Bernardy noted the city’s current water bylaw has provisions for connections of parcels of land that are within 20 metres of the nearest water main.
General Manager of Planning and Operations Geoff Goodall explained if a property exceeds 20 metres from the water main, the city has no obligation to allow property owners to connect to the water main.
Coun. Sue Zacharias asked if there are any other properties that are as close to the water main that could ask for the same thing, and heard there is one other property.
Bernardy’s report advised while the connection of Weil’s property may be technically feasible, if council were to grant permission, the system should be designed by a professional engineer to the satisfaction of the city.
Goodall said the city would want to make sure that it would work and not create a problem on the water main.
“We think it’s probably feasible, but we would want an engineer to be involved,” he said.
Bernardy also noted it’s a sensitive issue because the city is engaged with residents from Woodland Drive about planning a service area there.
Coun. Surinderpal Rathor honed in on Weil’s willingness to cover the cost as a reason to support it.
“We had a good system and if someone else wants to come on board and pay for the utility I don’t have a problem with that. If he needs a booster pump or whatever, he should be fully responsible, not the city. As long as he is in agreement to pay the full cost, then I have no problem with it,” he said.
Goodall confirmed that if a local service area is set up for water, and Weil’s property was already connected, then his would not become part of the service area.
At the committee of the whole meeting, Coun. Geoff Bourdon opposed granting permission for Weil to hook up to the city’s water system, arguing that council and the city are presently engaged in discussions for a water plan with all Woodland Drive residents. He remained opposed at Tuesday’s council meeting.
“If we allow properties to attach to the existing infrastructure and then go and do a new system or addition to the system then that cost will be borne by the residents that aren’t in proximity to the existing tower. They will be paying more for it because the system will cost the same amount whether there’s one or two houses difference.”
Everyone else voted in favour, except for Mayor Kerry Cook who left the discussion because she lives on Woodland Drive.