Water Meters and Bills

    Many customers have already paid in advance to the current system owner and are concerned about double pay for the same time period once Municipality starts operation on May 13.

    The Township billing will begin May 13th upon assumption of the system, any discussions about May billing or postdated cheques should be discussed with Paul Knipfel.

    Compared to our current billing, will our bills go up?

    We are unable to provide the estimate at this time. There is the potential it may go up.

    We have 2 people in our home (very low number compared to neighbours), don't have lawn irrigation, don't have any pool, aren't at home all summer. It is not fair that everyone is paying the same

    Until such time as individual meters are installed, the Township will continue the practice of dividing the costs of water across the existing customer base.  The Region has an outdoor water use bylaw to ensure that water for lawn water and other outdoor uses is done appropriately.  This will apply to Petersburg starting this May. The Township has heard the feedback from the community and will work to put meter in place as early as possible.

    Why don't you collect fees for system upgrades and keep operational fees the same?

    A portion of the municipal fees you are going to pay is the cost to operate the system and the other portion contributes to a municipal water reserve fund for future upgrades. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires municipal governments to fully recover the cost of water systems which includes any current costs and future upgrade costs

    How can customers pay their municipal bills?

    The Township finance department will set up an account for each costumer.  Bills can be paid through the mail or through online banking.  

    Will we be provided quantitative figures of water consumed until individual meters are installed?

    As part of the billing process the Township will provide details on the quantity of water consumed that will be used in calculating the water bills.  

    Is the goal for customers to be individually metered?

    Yes, the goal is to have individual meters installed.  The current timeline for installation is by Spring of 2025 and the Township will look to see if there is any opportunity to expedite this.  The Region has a water efficiency group, once individual meters are installed if you feel your bill is high there is a service for a home audit to help to reduce your water loss/consumption  

    If meter installed, will you have to dig?

    Expect to be able to install the meter within the house

    Can we choose to purchase meter rather than paying for it forever?

    Meters are not rented, they are purchased.  

    Once the meter is installed, how will it be read?

    These will be standard meters that are read remotely.

    Why don't you put the water meters in right away?

    There is time required to plan and execute the meter installation. The Township is working on it as a priority job, and if we are able to do early, we will do it.

    Will we compare the well meter to the individual meter consumption?

    Yes, this comparison will be computed to assess the existing distribution system

    What unit is the water being measured in?

    Volume  cubic meters (m3) 

    What is the cost of the water meter and installation?

    Base Cost Per Household: $840.50 

    This includes: 

    • Installation Cost: $514.15 

    • Building Permit Fee: $284.35 

    • Account Setup Fee: $42.00 

Water Quality, Quantity and Pressure

    Many customers raised concerns about water pressure

    In the short to medium term, your water pressure is expected to remain the same. However, after the distribution system upgrades are completed and can handle the appropriate pressure levels, water pressure will become more consistent and adequate to meet the needs of residents connected to the system.  

    Any concerns with the water system can be sent to the Township's public works publicworks@wilmot.ca or 519-634-8444

    Is the volume in the well is sufficient to address the needs of the community? And is there an intention to connect to the Region’s water system like St. Agatha?

    Based on evaluation of the permit to take water, there is ample supply to sustain the community customer base. With St. Agatha there were concerns with water quality with the existing sources and an immediate solution was required to address these concerns. There is currently no plan to connect to the Region’s existing system, but this will be evaluated in the longer term study.

    Will you be removing calcium and iron?

    The focus for the immediate upgrades will be those that are required to allow the system to be reliabily operated as a municipal system.  Iron is considered an aesthetic objective (relating to taste or odour) and therefore is not being considered for the immediate upgrades.  This will be considered under the longer term study that will begin later this year.

    Will chlorine continue to be added to the water?

    Yes, chlorine will continue to be added to the water, as per the requirements of the Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act. 

    There is serious water quality issues during emergency shutoff, water comes back on with brown or orange colored water

    If you experience discoloured water, run a tap closest to where the water enters the house, in the basement if possible, until the water runs clear.  This discolouration is likely caused by naturally occurring iron the gets deposited in the watermains. The addition of a hydrant to do maintenance at the well house should help to reduce disruptions. 

    Should we be concerned that water will be taken to other part of IUS, like in Shingletown?

    The Region does not have any plans to supply water from this well to other areas at this time. The benefit of a Regional system is that it allows us to look holistically and identify where water is sustainably available and where it is needed to support our communities.  For example, the Shingletown wells referenced provide water to Baden and New Hamburg, within Wilmot as well as contributing to our integrated system that supplies water to Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Woolwich and St. Agatha.  This integrated approach allows us to balance supply and demand across the Region.  

    Has there been any studies on the ability of the current well to support future connections?

    There is adequate supply for the current customer base, and additional available for lots within the community boundaries to connect should there be interest. There will be future studies by our dedicated team of hydrogeologists to review the state of the well and its capacity.

    My water is sometimes discoloured. Will you be addressing this?

    Discoloration in drinking water commonly comes from natural minerals in the water, such as iron and manganeseThe Region will bconducting a study starting spring of next year to look at the long-term needs for the water supply which will consider treatment for aesthetic parameters such as these. 

    Do we need to have our water sampled and tested?

    The Region and the Township test the water both at the source and in the distribution system to ensure the water quality meets or exceeds the requirements set out in the Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act. Residents do not need to have their water tested themselves. Please contact the Township if you have questions or concerns. 

    How does the municipality ensure our water is safe?

    The Region and the Township test our water to make sure it meets the requirements under the Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act. Equipment is operated, checked, and maintained by a dedicated team of professionals. 

Financials

    Do you have budget for the work?

    Township has some approved budget for this year to completed the studies, work is being done for council approval for more budgets. As discussed the cost for the immediate capital upgrades required will need to be recovered by the existing customers.  Additional details on these costs will be presented to the community later this year and no costs to the customers will go forward without feedback from the community and approval by each of the municipal councils.  

    Will we get a list of system upgrade work to explain the additional cost?

    Absolutely.  This information will be made available at the next open house.  

    What was the cost for St. Agatha ? Do we need expect similar costs?

    The work at St. Agatha was completed 20 years ago and the Region's portion the cost was $5,000 per household there were additional cost from the township for upgrades to the distribution system, but that information was not readily available. The Township and Region are working on cost estimates for the immediate upgrades and this information will be brought back to the community this summer.

    You’re talking about investments short term and long term. How is this going to be communicated?

    Through a townhall just like today. In addition letters will be provided to each household detailing the costs as well as payment plan options and timelines.

    The costs that you will be needing to recover from all of the community, is there money in a reserve from the current system that will be applied to the current balance of capital work?

    We are not aware of any reserves available from the existing  system.

    Can the proposed upgrade wait for a year or so until the reserve funds grow? So we don't need to pay for upgrade now?

    The upgrades identified need to be completed immediately to ensured the continued reliable operation of the water system. As municipal water customers, future longer term upgrades will be covered by the municipal reserve.  

    Will my monthly water bill be going up?

    Your water bill will be based on the Township’s cost recovery for the supply charges paid to the Region. Since there is no historical data on private water usage for comparison, we can't provide an exact estimate. However, based on water usage since the activation of the water meters, your bills have been lower than what was previously charged. 

    Will there be a forecast available for projected water rate increases?

    Municipal water rates are reviewed and updated annually as part of the municipal budgeting processThis is a public process, and any future rate changes are approved by council for the next year.  

    Who pays for replacing the infrastructure of this system?

    The cost for any immediate upgrades will be shared across the existing customers of the system. In the future, residents will be municipal customers and the water rates collected will be used to pay for future upgrades.   
     
    The costs to replace the system will be initially covered by the Township, but the capital upgrades will be recovered from the system's customers. Payment details are subject to a future decision by Council. 

    How will I be billed if I don’t have a meter?

    From May 13 to August 31, each property connected to the water system was billed evenly based on the total volume of water used by all connected properties and purchased by the Township from the Region. This cost was distributed equally among the connected properties. Starting September 1, the newly installed water meters have been activated, and connected properties will be charged based on individual water usage as recorded by the water meter readings.  

    When will residents be invoiced for the $209.50 water usage from May 13th to August 31st?

    Those bills are currently in the mail as of October 10thso the homeowners should be receiving it within the following couple of weeks 

    When will residents be invoiced for the $850 water meter installation cost plus cost of additional plumbing?

    This will be billed with capital expenditures at a later date to be determined.   

    When will residents be invoiced for the $5,700 for pump house upgrades?

    The cost recovery by-law for the Region’s portion of $5,788 is expected to be considered at Regional Council on December 3 .

    When will residents be invoiced for the estimated 55K for infrastructure upgrades?

    This will be billed with capital expenditures at a later date to be determined.   

    What are the costs now and what are the costs later?

    The Region’s total costs are $358,870, divided by 62 benefitting properties works out to $5,788 per property. There will be no further Regional capital costs related to the water supply.  

    The Township's total costs for the water volume charge from May 13 to August 31 include the water volume used during that period, which the Township purchased from the Region, along with the prorated annual Township infrastructure fee. This totals $12,989.48. When divided by the 62 properties, this amounts to approximately $209.50 per property. 

    How will future capital upgrades be funded?

    For the Region’s portion which is in relation to water supply, all future studies and capital upgrades will be funded through the Regional user rate. This includes studies for analyzing the long-term water supply for Petersburg, well yield testing, reservoir inspection and equipment sizingand the potential to connect the Petersburg system to another water supply system. This type of study is typically conducted through a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.  
     
    The distribution system upgrades will be initially funded by the Township, while cost recovery options are currently being discussed between Township staff and Council. The details of the cost recovery payment plan will be determined by a future decision of Council. 

    Did the Region cover any water supply upgrades at their own expense?

    Water treatment-related costs were only assessed to improve the transferred assets to Region standardAll other costs were borne by the RegionThis includes driveway for operators and a SCADA systemFuture studies and upgrades will also be borne by the Region.

    Why aren’t we only responsible for the portion that is connected directly to our property?

    This is because a main watermain is needed to connect the service to your property, similar to how the overall distribution system relies on water supply from the Region’s source and pumps. The project must be completed as a whole, so residents connected to the system are responsible for more than just the cost of the service line to their individual properties. 

    When is the expectation of payment/payment plan to be made/implemented?

    The payment plan for capital upgrade costs will be addressed at a future council meeting, once detailed designs and cost estimates are more developed. This is likely to happen by mid-2025, at which point council will review the costs and decide how to move forward. 

    Can we co-ordinate with a plumber and the Township to waive any plumbing fees and random permit and building fees?

    No, the plumbing fees were required as part of the water meter installation process. A building permit was also necessary for the Township’s building department to conduct inspections and approve the work done by the plumbing contractor, ensuring the water meter was installed according to Township and Ontario Building Code (OBC) standards. 

    Will the Township help pay through property taxes?

    The existing users are the ones who pay for the replacement of the system. Staff recommendation is for the cost to remain with the system benefiting owners. 

    Will payment be in a lump sum?

    It is anticipated that there will be a long-term payment plan similar to the previous project in St.Agatha. The payment plan for capital upgrade costs will be addressed at a future council meeting, once detailed designs and cost estimates are more developed. This is likely to happen by mid-2025, at which point council will review the costs and decide how to move forward.

    What if I refuse to pay or enter into a deferred payment plan?

    The payment plan for capital upgrade costs will be addressed at a future council meeting, once detailed designs and cost estimates are more developed. This is likely to happen by mid-2025, at which point council will review the costs and decide how to move forward. 

    Will some of the costs be absorbed by the Region?

    All future costs related to the supply of water will be covered by the Region's wholesale rate. 

    Will the church have to pay a share?

    Yes, the church will be treated like any other property connected to the water system and will be responsible for its share of the interim billing, water meter installation, water supply improvements, and distribution system capital upgrades. 

    Why isn't the cost divided amongst all Wilmot residents?

    Benefiting owners are paying for the work being undertaken. 

    Is there Government funding that can help to cover costs? What about Government programs such as HEWS and OCIF?

    We are actively monitoring available funding opportunities, but at this time, there are no applicable grants for this specific type of project. The funding programs, such as HEWS and OCIF, are primarily focused on projects related to growth, and this project does not currently meet the eligibility criteria. However, we still have a couple of years to explore potential funding options that may become available. 

Other Service Questions

    How soon will we see a generator in to maintain operation during a hydro interuption?

    The Region will be looking at standby power through their upcoming long term study for the supply (Class Environmental Assessment). The immediate upgrades only focus on the critical investments that are you required to bring the system up to a reliable municipal standard.

    Would the addition of hydrants allow for fire protection?

    We’re not increasing the supply for fire protection. The Region will be installing an an operational hydrant to support maintenance of the system.  You’ll continue to see the same level of fire protection that you’re accustomed to through the Township. 

    Can new costumers be added in to the system?

    Based on evaluation of permit to take water, there is ample supply to for additional customers, and an opportunity to consider allowing new customers.  New customers would be responsible for paying for the cost to extend the existing distribution system, if required and would need to pay their portion of the capital upgrades charge that was incurred by existing customers.  If new customers join the system, a partial rebate will be paid to existing customers who paid the upgrades charge.

    If there are leaks in the system costs currently distributed among water users (resident noted very sandy soil). Will this be the case in the future?

    Once online metering is installed at the supply, this information will help to identify if there are leaks in the distribution system. Once individual meters are installed residents will not be paying for any leaks in the system and the individual billing will assist homeowners identify any leaks within their own home.

    Do you have more details on the future study scope?

    The Region's long term study will look at many different aspects of the supply system including fire protection, water quality issues, future investment needs. Feedback from the community will be solicited through public consultation, with outreach to the community through Engage WR, town halls, and letters, similar to this process.  

    Are there plans for a sanitary sewer?

    There are no plans for a municipal sanitary system.  

    There was legal contract signed by residents with Paul, what needs to happen with this?

    The Region and Township cannot comment on any contracts set up between customers and Paul, this will need to be discussed with him.

    What is meant by construction?

    The Region's construction reflects the labour and equipment necessary to install all pipes, valves, meters, tanks, pumps and monitoring equipment in the Petersburg water supply system. This also includes electrical work and treatment work. Removal of all un-necessary or obsolete pre-existing equipment is also included. 

    Presently residences are not allowed to have their own well, can that be changed?

    Currently, residents are not permitted to have their own wells, and changing this would require approval from the Ministry. The Ministry, in coordination with the Region of Waterloo and the Township of Wilmot, ensures residents receive safe and reliable drinking water. Disconnection from the municipal system is not allowed without Ministry consent, as it could impact the entire water system. Municipal water is treated, tested, and monitored to provide a safe and reliable supply, making it the best option for residents. Decommissioning or fragmenting the system is generally not permitted without Ministry approval, and may not be feasible due to site-specific conditions. More details on this process can be found in the: Guide for Applying for Fragmentation and Relief from Regulatory Requirements. 

    What work is being done at the well?

    The Region made minor upgrades at the well house to improve the system's reliability. This included replacing some existing equipment and adding new equipment to improve system monitoring.  

    When do I contact Wilmot & when do I contact the Region of with my inquiries?

    For inquiries related to water distribution and billing, please contact the Township. For questions about water supply and treatment, contact the Region. At the end of this document are the contacts for questions during the transition period, as well as contact information for general inquiries once the system is operating as a municipal system. 

History

    How deep is the existing well?

     The Petersburg drinking water license indicates the well is 71m deep.

    Did the existing system meet private well standards?

    We are uncertain about the existing system requirements with the Ministry, as these would have been handled between the previous owner and the Ministry. 

    Did the previous owner receive any funding from the Region or Township as part of the system transition?

    No.

Process and Changes

    Am I able to disconnect myself from the municipal water system? Or Presently residents are not allowed to have their own well, can that be changed?

    Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, homeowners disconnecting from a water supply system is referred to as “fragmentation." The Safe Drinking Water Act prohibits fragmentation without written consent from the Director at the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Written consent must be sought from the Director by the system owner, and the owner of the Petersburg Water System is not pursuing fragmentation at this time.  

    Will our water be interrupted by any construction?

    All works regarding the immediate upgrades and meter installation have been completed and there should be no further interruption from construction of these activities.   

    The Region still has some yardwork and driveway improvements that won’t disturb the water supply and will not be charged to the residents.  

    If I am not currently on the water system, can I connect?

    The current upgrades were done with a transition of existing customers from the Knipfel water system to the municipal water systemA study called a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment is required to determine the impacts of additional connectionsThis includes investigations into the true well source capacity, as well as an analysis of treatment equipment sizing to accommodate any possible future connections to the system. 

    What will post construction property restoration consist of?

    Post-construction property restoration will involve returning any affected private property to its pre construction state. 

    Can you make the MTE Engineers report available?

    When the report is finalizedit will be presented to council in Q4 2024. 

    When will construction start?

    As outlined in the September letter, the Township expects to complete the detailed design in 2025, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026 and lasting between one to two years

    Will the road work and pipe work be at the same time?

    Yes, it is expected that the road work and pipe work will be completed at the same time. 

    Will the system be built to accommodate future growth?

    Petersburg is not a growth area. For the distribution side we would design the system to serve the existing Petersburg Water System community. There are opportunities to expand but we have not got this far. This will be presented to Wilmot Council who will provide a recommendation on how to proceed. 

    Replacement and why now?

    The age and material of the pipe are a concern. Additionally, there are issues with the pressure of the system and discoloration of water. As a requirement of Township regulations, we are expected to bring the system to a municipal standard. 

    How will the Town ensure that the community feels comfortable that the work that is being requested is necessary not just nice to have?

    The Township will provide clear and detailed information about the purpose of the work and the benefits it will bring. This will include reports and presentations where community members can ask questions and express their concerns. Opportunities to provide feedback through community engagement will be undertaken and regular updates will be provided as the project progresses.  

    If replacement is done, will it be 6” pipe?

    Yes it will most likely be 150mm diameter PVC pipe material used for the watermain line. 

    Will the engineering assessment be publicly available?

    The engineering report will be presented to council at a future meeting later in 2024. 

    Has anyone contacted the media?

    CTV news was present at the October 10, 2024, Public Information Centre. 

    What will be different about being on municipal water?

    The Region and Township will be completing studies in the coming years to plan for investments that ensure the long-term reliability of the drinking water system.  The system will be monitored remotely 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by licensed water operators. These approaches should minimize system down-times and improve reliability.  

    What if I sell my house before the payment is made or the by-law(s) are passed?

    If you sell your house before the payment is made or the by-laws are passed, the cost of the capital upgrades will still be associated with the property. This means that the charges will be added to the property title and will remain with the property, not the current owner. It is important for potential buyers to be aware of this cost, as it will transfer with the property at the time of sale. 

    Will the Region eventually connect to a different water supply to serve Petersburg in the future?

    The Region plans to undertake a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment that will analyze the long-term water supply for Petersburg. The study will include well yield testing, reservoir inspection and equipment sizing, and the potential to connect the Petersburg system to another water supply system. The study may consider the expansion of the Petersburg system to service additional homes in the community. The study is expected to commence in the coming years and will take approximately 18 months.  

    Was the backup power upgraded in the well house?

    In order to keep costs low, a permanent standby generator was not installed, however an emergency power plan will be developed. 

    What is the estimated start and completion dates of the construction?

    The Region’s work on the water supply side was completed in September 2024. Additionally, as outlined in the September letter, the Township expects to complete the detailed design in 2025, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026 and lasting between one to two years 

    Will this work include replacing the water services from property line to house and if so, what guarantees will be in place to ensure septic systems are not damaged or compromised?

    The Township will assess each property to determine the proximity of septic systems to the proposed work. Based on this evaluation, we will provide recommendations to minimize the risk of any damage or disruption. The process may vary for each property, and appropriate precautions will be taken to protect septic systems. 

    Will trenchless construction methods be used?

    The project is still in the early stages of design/construction and methods to be used will be determined at a later date. 

    Will the project go out for tender?

    Yes, this is standard practice.  

    Will fire hydrants be installed?

    The installation of fire hydrants will depend on the Region’s supply capacity feeding into the Township’s distribution system. To support fire protection, certain pressure parameters must be met. If the available capacity can provide the necessary pressure for fire hydrants, they will be installed.

    Does this work need to happen immediately? Can it wait until the reserve fund can cover it?

    The Township is required, under a Ministry of Conservation, Environment and Parks order, to assess the water distribution system for deficiencies and to ensure the system meets regulatory standards.  

    MTE Consultants evaluated the system and reported that it is deficient in key areas including inadequate water pressure, problems with system layout, insufficient controls, and aged infrastructure that can’t meet the system performance needs.  

    This is not unexpected with a system of this age and condition. Since it was built, the system has not undergone significant upgrades or rehabilitation. Aging materials and smaller pipes no longer meet current Ministry design standards and cannot support the water pressure needs of the community. The system also has an inefficient servicing layout required to meet adequate standards. The work detailed above is necessary to meet MECP requirements and to ensure the quality and sustainability of water delivery.  

    Will it be possible to flush the new system? Is circulation possible?

    Yes, at minimum the system will be equipped with flushing valves that our operations team will use to flush the watermain on a scheduled basis to prevent stagnant water. Additionally, the conceptual watermain replacement design includes improved system looping, which will enhance water circulation compared to the current system.