More than 200 residents in a rural area northwest of Penticton, BC, may have to pay more than $ 1,000 per month only to have water.
The amazing cost has housing owners that depend on the Sage table water system and demand a more reasonable solution.
Bruce Turnbull has lived at home for more than 40 years.
“I do not know any place on this planet that pays $ 1,200 per month for water, for drinking water. This is not agricultural, I am not raising crops here, I am only living here. Paying $ 1,200 per month to get a glass of water makes no sense,” he said.
Last year, the 242 residents of Sage Mesa were notified that they would be in the hook for the cost of $ 33 million to improve the flotation line. The system does not meet the basic water treatment guidelines established by internal health, and is reaching the end of its life with much of the infrastructure of more than 60 years.
‘I really don’t want to leave’
Randy Enns, an 80 -year -old retiree who has lived at home for more than 50 years, said Sage Mesa is a great place to live.
“My luck is very private, I have lovely neighbors and I really don’t want to leave,” he said.
But he told CBC News to try to discover how he will significantly affected his health.
“I have poor health, I have many problems and now I’m very stressed,” he said.
One of his concerns is to suffer a loss in the value of the property if he decides to sell his home.
“For most people like me, it’s your nest egg. If everything else goes wrong and you run out of funds, you have your egg nest and it’s your house and you can sell it. Well, this prevents me from doing that,” he said.
Sharon Plato, an 83 -year -old retired nurse who lives in a pension, said that the idea of water repair costs her awake at night.
“It would be devastating for me,” he said. “I couldn’t stay here, I would have to move.”
Most people do not qualify their water bill as one that stresses them. But for people living in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Penticton, it is another matter. A private property system is sending large invoices to maintain water flow. CBC Tiffany Goodwein has more about why they are paying so much and impact.
The Sage Mesa water system is privately owned. Pump water from the okanagan lake and treat it with chlorine.
In 1990, the province intervened after concerns about financial poor management and infrastructure deterioration, and put the system under the control of the provincial water comptroller. The Ministry of Water and Natural Resources told CBC News that it has no role in financing the system.
“At this time, Sage Mesa remains privately owned and administered by the comptroller of water rights. As private companies, private water services are responsible for independently maintaining the infrastructure and guaranteeing the continuous delivery of water services,” the ministry said in a statement.
‘We need clean water’
Water quality problems continue to affect the system with approximately 60 houses under a permanent warning of water.
Plato has an autoimmune condition and has not been able to drink the water for years.
“We need clean water that is healthy water and something we can pay. We need the province and all ministers concerned about this situation to act quickly,” he said.
Since 2009, the province has hired the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District (RDOS) to operate and execute the system. The Regional District said the private owner approached to take care of the Sage Mesa flotation line, but would require a referendum to authorize the loan of $ 33 million necessary to cover the cost of repairs.
Voting “yes” would mean that RDO could request subsidies through the provincial government, potentially shaving some costs from residents.
A date has not yet been established for the vote to occur.
The Regional District said in a statement that the staff is being informed about the provincial discussions on the subject and continue to advocate on behalf of the residents for “the best way to follow.”
With both at stake, Sage Mesa residents also look for other alternatives, such as connecting with the city of the city of Penticton.
However, Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield said that connecting to the city’s water system is not so simple.
“It is a capacity problem, and it is supply and demand, and it is always a consideration when it comes to finite resources such as water,” he said.
On September 10, an information session organized by the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District will be held, as residents continue to press for options that do not eliminate their wallets.
“We are fighting, we are fighting absolutely,” Turnbull said.
