Council Takes Another Step Towards Water Meters

Tuesday, June 14, 2005 03:59 AM

Prince George City Council has unanimously approved a report from City Staff which outlines a water use, and conservation plan. The hook on this report is that it is a necessary step towards securing funding from the federal level for infrastructure development and mandatory water meters for all residences.

It has been noted that Canadians use an excessive amount of water, and Prince George residents use more than the national average. According to Councilor Cliff Dezel, residents need to know their habits are wasteful and there is no endless supply.

The City has already adopted voluntary metering and all commercial and industrial users are being metered. Much like a bank wants a business plan before it will hand out cash, other levels of government are asking for an action plan on infrastructure changes and upgrades.

The proposal outlined to Council calls for meters to be added in all new home construction, when homes are sold, and if major renovations ( over $20,000) are underway. The report sugests the City bear the cost of all meters and their maintenance. In approving the report, it was made clear Councilors were not saying yes to changes or specific recommendations, but if the City is to get funding from other levels of government, this report had to have Council's support.
Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 03:59 AM in News by Elaine Macdonald

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: Opatcho on June 14 2005 10:08 AM

Sounds like another money grab like the gabage can solution arrived at. They didnt have the balls to limit the amount of garbage brought to the curb they just increased the fees for pick up.
We have water use restrictions but no one to enforce them. "We depend on complaints before any action is taken". Gets them off the hook again.
We are doing this to get more money from the Feds.
They can't manage what they have what will they do if they get more.
Federal money also happens to be our money.

Posted by: Janked on June 14 2005 10:40 AM

Total cash grab. Ponder me this...how hypocritical is it when the city waters fields when it is pouring rain or is obviously going to rain? Driving to work today I witnessed a ton of water flowing all over 15th ave by the soccer fields cause of faulty sprinklers and leaks and it rained yesterday and will today. I agree that we can do more to conserve water and that is a valuable thing to do but the city is out to get money anyway they can. Lets send the message that we are sick of the cash grabs!

Posted by: spanky on June 14 2005 6:13 PM

IMO , this is crap. We don't live in an airid or overpopulated area. So why act like we do? This city hall of ours is a joke. Why don't they bring some new business to town ( and not any more strip malls) such as industry. That will fill the coffers not nailing average people fro having a green lawn or a backyard garden. Innovation naot taxation should be the city motto.

Peace out and keep the water flowing free.

Posted by: gypsy on June 18 2005 10:42 PM

Jeez, now we are going to have to watch how often we flush, just like those Saskatchewan farmers who haul water and the old flusher handle gets pushed down once a day. Phew if you are the last one to be seated!!!!!
Well, it could be turned into a real money maker for this conscientious city if we get a nice cold winter. That is when the guy at city hall, (public works), tells the public to leave their water running to avoid freezing pipes!!!!Get a lot of meters cranked up then as who wants frozen pipes??? And don't forget the sewer rate will be judged by the water useage, and you will pay more than 100% of the water useage amount for sewer. (The reason for the extra is if you 've been to the bar there is a strong possibility you will relieve yourself of some of that beer when you come home.) Hard to police where you pee pee. Does this make sense??? Oh yeah, and don't be surprised when you are charged a rental fee on that meter!!!!! Taxes too!!! I am not going to say anymore. This is getting downright scarey!!! Cheers