Al4- The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, September 8, 1999 New island water system BRAUN’S ISLAND homeowners have been told to brace for a bill of more than $1,000 a year if they wait a new water system to replace island wells con- tamninated afler June’s flood. Rough estimates circu- laicd so far to islanders sug- gest they'd have to pay $1,000 ta $1,600 per year for 10 to 20 years for water lines that would tap iato the City of Terrace water sys- tem. The figures are based on early estimates of $350,000 to $450,000 to construct such a system, said Kitimat Stikine regional district ad- minisirator Bob Marcellin. And the numbers already count on getting a 50 per cent water infrastructure grant from the provincial government, he added. The cost of construction would actually be less than the $1,000-plus annual cost estimates. Strictly construction costs would ‘amount to $650 to $1,300 — depending on the final price and depending on whether it’s put over 10 or 20 years. But the residents would also have to pay extra amounts to the City of Ter- race, Marcellin’s estimates are the residents might pay $150 as a contribution towards the overall capital costs of the city water sys- tem — toward maintenance of the well and main lines — plus the approximately $133 per year all city homeowners pay for water consumption, The regional — district would also tack on an ad- ministration fee for the sys- tem of about $40 per prap- erty. The system would only provide water lines on the island to each property. Each owner would then have to pay more to run a... water line-from the. ‘street: 19 their home: - A provincial grant cover- ing half the cost would not be assured, be said, but it would have a good chance because of the risk to public health under present condi- tions. “fA project of this nature would be considered one of the highest priorities,’ Mar- cellin said, If islanders are interested, a detailed engineering study would be conducted, says Marcellin. Most of the wells on the island have now been as- sessed, he added. Some are clean, he said, Others have varying degrees of contamination. The city has yet to deal with the problem of fixing the sewage outfall pipe that was damaged during the flood. Work on thal is awaiting low water. As a result, the treated sewage that the pipe would normally take into the mid- channel of the river is being backed up and channeled io the river via a ditch. Residents say that’s meant sewage flowing past their back yards aud staying close to shore, They want the pipe damage repaired, the spilled sewage cleaned up and other agencies to pay for water testing until that work is done, Diana Penner, one of the residents on the island water committee, says she and others are angry they're being pushed to pay for an expensive water when they consider the ongoing contamination to be the main problem, “Unfortunately not every- body can afford to pay.” Penner said, adding she’s not certain a vole of resi. dents on the proposal would pass. She also said it would amount to a quick fix to the water issue that would ig- nore the other problems. “This still skirts the issue, which is the contamina- lion,” she said, adding res! dents used to swim in the slough and in channels of the river. “Our quality of life has completely changed . over Mita wareaconen FURING TAIN ATER Bite Swat would cost big, big bucks BRAUN'S ISLAND residents Say two signs dropped off by local provincial health officials are better than nothing in order to prevent people fram playing in a con- taminated slough, Justin Penner, Benjamin Moonie and Diana Penner are shown here installing one of the signs. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO this,’’ she said, Residents remain con- vinced, she added, that if the sewape was cleaned up, the water contamination would abate. lems with the wells on Braun’s Island,’’ engineer- ing director Slew Christensen said last week, One allemnate possibility is that flooding caused septic and the city recorded a coliform count of 4,900 -- but that was taken Iess than 100 feet from an island chicken coop. Footwear & Clothing Your First | Your Second ltem Is AT SPORT SHOP Item Is Selected Reeboks 1/2 Price Item Is system - That reading was higher than the reading of 3,000 for effluent coming — straight from the sewage treatment plant, Christensen noted, ad- ding it's bard to imagine how the city sewage would increase in concentration as it Hows away in the river., City officials, however,’ fields on the island to mix continue to reject the resi- with adjacent wells. dents’ assertion that the city In addition, he says, sewage spill is responsible there’s litle cvidence thal for the drinking water prob- city sewage is the largest lems, source of contamination “At this point the city around the island. does uot feel we’ve contrib- © One test conducted in the uted ia any way to the prob- slough belween the island “FILA. * REEBOK * PUMA * CHAMPION.» SPEEDO.» STARTER * VANS 301 City Centre, Third Level Trigo Centre, Kitimat 250.632-6460 See Store For Details. 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