PICTOU - Town of Pictou residents will be able to have their say in October about new water rates.
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will host a public hearing Oct. 17, in Pictou town council chambers in regard to the town’s application for amendments to its water rates and services now that its new water treatment plant is close to opening.
Pictou is in the final stages of getting its new water treatment plant up and running after which people will charged for the amount of water they use in their homes and businesses. Currently, residents are paying an unmetered water rate of $121.04, but when the plant comes into full service, it is proposed rates will increase to $127.70 in 2018/19; $149.96 in 2019/20 and $174.86 in 2020/21.
Different rates are proposed for 5/8 metre residential customers and other metered while the towns fire protection charge is also expected to increase.
The town’s $5 million water treatment is being built behind the McCulloch Education Centre on Welsford Street and will take care of high manganese and iron levels as well as low water pressure. It is the second phase of a two-phase upgrade.
Pictou’s existing water distribution system draws directly from groundwater wells that contain high levels of naturally occurring iron and manganese. Due to low water pressure of the town’s distribution system and the reaction of iron and manganese with chlorine disinfectants, these contaminants have settled and accumulated in the distribution pipes. The project is expected to significantly improve the treatment and distribution of drinking water for Pictou residents and businesses.
On Friday, the town asked residents to conserve water because construction at the plant would require town wells to be shut down for the day. Regular water usage was allowed, but anyone found using water in a non-essential way, such as filling pools or watering lawns, would have their water service suspended.
Anyone wanting to speak at the October NSUARB hearing can do by notifying the board before Oct. 15. Written comments can also be sent to the board.