Petersburg Water System
Project overview
On January 15, 2024, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks directed the Region of Waterloo and the Township of Wilmot to assume all responsibility for the current Petersburg water system as of May 13, 2024. This change came with the current owner discontinuing operations of this system.
In Wilmot, the Region is responsible for treating municipal drinking water and the Township is responsible for the municipal distribution system that provides water to their customers.
The current water system supplies water to one property on Deerfield extension, nine properties on Deerfield Avenue, 31 properties on Alice Crescent, four properties on Redford Drive, eight properties on Notre Dame Drive and nine properties on Snyder's Road East, as well as a community park and Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
Project update – September 27, 2024
The Township of Wilmot and the Region of Waterloo are transitioning the former Knipfel Private Drinking Water System to the Petersburg Distribution Water System.
At our last meeting on April 4, we committed to providing more detailed information on water pricing, billing schedules, and costs to upgrade the current infrastructure when available. More information is now available and a letter, outlining the expenses incurred to date and the estimated capital costs expected in the future, was delivered to the system users and a copy was mailed through Canada Post. The treatment and distribution system upgrade costs detailed in the letter, and potential payment options, are not finalized. This will be determined by each respective Council.
We appreciate that this will impact each household in different ways, and Township and Regional staff are available to meet with you one-on-one to discuss this in further detail.
Open house—October 10, 2024
We also invite you to an open house on Thursday, October 10, where you can drop in between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Community Centre, 1791 Erbs Road, St. Agatha, to get more information and ask questions.
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Questions?
You can also submit a question below using the Question tab for our project team to answer.
FAQs
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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.
- Compared to our current billing, will our bills 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
- Why don't you collect fees for system upgrades and keep operational fees the same?
- How can customers pay their municipal bills?
- Will we be provided quantitative figures of water consumed until individual meters are installed?
- Is the goal for customers to be individually metered?
- If meter installed, will you have to dig?
- Can we choose to purchase meter rather than paying for it forever?
- Once the meter is installed, how will it be read?
- Why don't you put the water meters in right away?
- Will we compare the well meter to the individual meter consumption?
- What unit is the water being measured in?
- What is the cost of the water meter and installation?
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Water Quality, Quantity and Pressure
- Many customers raised concerns about water pressure
- 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?
- Will you be removing calcium and iron?
- Will chlorine continue to be added to the water?
- There is serious water quality issues during emergency shutoff, water comes back on with brown or orange colored water
- Should we be concerned that water will be taken to other part of IUS, like in Shingletown?
- Has there been any studies on the ability of the current well to support future connections?
- My water is sometimes discoloured. Will you be addressing this?
- Do we need to have our water sampled and tested?
- How does the municipality ensure our water is safe?
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Financials
- Do you have budget for the work?
- Will we get a list of system upgrade work to explain the additional cost?
- What was the cost for St. Agatha ? Do we need expect similar costs?
- You’re talking about investments short term and long term. How is this going to be communicated?
- 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?
- 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?
- Will my monthly water bill be going up?
- Will there be a forecast available for projected water rate increases?
- Who pays for replacing the infrastructure of this system?
- How will I be billed if I don’t have a meter?
- When will residents be invoiced for the $209.50 water usage from May 13th to August 31st?
- When will residents be invoiced for the $850 water meter installation cost plus cost of additional plumbing?
- When will residents be invoiced for the $5,700 for pump house upgrades?
- When will residents be invoiced for the estimated 55K for infrastructure upgrades?
- What are the costs now and what are the costs later?
- How will future capital upgrades be funded?
- Did the Region cover any water supply upgrades at their own expense?
- Why aren’t we only responsible for the portion that is connected directly to our property?
- When is the expectation of payment/payment plan to be made/implemented?
- Can we co-ordinate with a plumber and the Township to waive any plumbing fees and random permit and building fees?
- Will the Township help pay through property taxes?
- Will payment be in a lump sum?
- What if I refuse to pay or enter into a deferred payment plan?
- Will some of the costs be absorbed by the Region?
- Will the church have to pay a share?
- Why isn't the cost divided amongst all Wilmot residents?
- Is there Government funding that can help to cover costs? What about Government programs such as HEWS and OCIF?
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Other Service Questions
- How soon will we see a generator in to maintain operation during a hydro interuption?
- Would the addition of hydrants allow for fire protection?
- Can new costumers be added in to the system?
- 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?
- Do you have more details on the future study scope?
- Are there plans for a sanitary sewer?
- There was legal contract signed by residents with Paul, what needs to happen with this?
- What is meant by construction?
- Presently residences are not allowed to have their own well, can that be changed?
- What work is being done at the well?
- When do I contact Wilmot & when do I contact the Region of with my inquiries?
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History
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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?
- Will our water be interrupted by any construction?
- If I am not currently on the water system, can I connect?
- What will post construction property restoration consist of?
- Can you make the MTE Engineers report available?
- When will construction start?
- Will the road work and pipe work be at the same time?
- Will the system be built to accommodate future growth?
- Replacement and why now?
- How will the Town ensure that the community feels comfortable that the work that is being requested is necessary not just nice to have?
- If replacement is done, will it be 6” pipe?
- Will the engineering assessment be publicly available?
- Has anyone contacted the media?
- What will be different about being on municipal water?
- What if I sell my house before the payment is made or the by-law(s) are passed?
- Will the Region eventually connect to a different water supply to serve Petersburg in the future?
- Was the backup power upgraded in the well house?
- What is the estimated start and completion dates of the construction?
- 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?
- Will trenchless construction methods be used?
- Will the project go out for tender?
- Will fire hydrants be installed?
- Does this work need to happen immediately? Can it wait until the reserve fund can cover it?
- Will it be possible to flush the new system? Is circulation possible?
Who's Listening
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KY
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Phone 519-634-8519 Email autumn.hergott@wilmot.ca