Opinion Letters

Years ago, South Huron and Lambton Shores argued over sharing the existing Grand Bend Sewage Lagoon system. They gave up, and brought Bluewater into a plan to build a new sewage treatment plant for all three, with an estimated 4600 potential users. And, they contended that the existing sewage lagoon system was polluting.

Today, Bluewater, Dashwood, Zones 3 and 4 of Lambton Shores are all out; the number of actual users is only 1100; the existing lagoon system has over half of its design capacity still available for new users; and there is NO evidence, including recent confirmation from the Ministry of the Environment, of any pollution issue. In fact, the system is working well:

1. No history of non-compliance for effluent discharge, the quality of which is well within all applicable criteria.

2. No spills of untreated wastewater.

3. No legislative need to upgrade, because the existing system does not receive storm sewer flows.

Regardless, the contract to build a new plant is about to be awarded by two Municipalities and up to $14.9 million of hard-earned money of Ontario and Canadian taxpayers has been approved to help build it. We know Bluewater will pay nothing now, maybe never. Its Council voted unanimously to opt out and doesnt have to opt back in. But, even at this 11th hour, neither Lambton Shores nor South Huron knows how they will pay for the new plant, nor if can they afford it. A small population of mostly cottagers and seniors on fixed incomes cannot afford to build an unnecessary plant, contribute to a life-cycle reserve ($470,000 a year), and pay operatingcosts which will increase 700% (from $51,000 to $360,000,a year).

We do need to replace or fix existing aged/malfunctioning infrastructure for which there is little to no money, and the Municipalities need to address their debt, as warned by the Province. South Hurons Treasurer cautioned Council that its high debt means there is little financial capacity for new projects, and money should be saved for unforeseen needs or emergencies. In fact, South Huron taxpayers are facing more than 50% tax increase just to make up for the deficits for existing infrastructure needs. Lambton Shores has similar issues.

The only potential new users listed for the first 20 years for a new plant are South Huron's private shoreline communities - about 170 cottagers stretched over 2.5 kilometres. The Environmental Assessment showed their septics are NOT causing any negative impact, and in fact the well-treed area (the last northerly tip of Carolinian forest, home to species at risk) is a natural protection absorbing nutrients, keeping the shoreline clean and swimmable. The cottagers voted against installing centralized sewage collection to protect the trees, committing to continued good stewardship of their septic systems, welcoming mandatory inspections. Connecting to a large sewage system invites the risk of a major spill, which would be devastating along the lake.

It has become clear that the main goal of the Municipalities is to cling to the upper tier government money. But there is only one taxpayer. We support Councils who take care of present responsibilities and don'tbuild anything until truly needed and able to fund. The pipes need fixing, not the plant. And a new plant won't fix the pipes.

Oakwood Park Association Inc.

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