By Charlene Tebbutt

Council to take another look at water valve replacement costs to residents

Nov 15, 2018 | 7:00 AM

City council is taking another look at a plan to replace water meter isolation valves in residential homes across the city.

Councillors made the decision following a discussion this week around the potential costs to residents for the meter replacements. The city is planning to replace water connectors, or operating isolating valves, at all residential homes in the city as part of a plan to work toward monthly water billing.

At Tuesday’s meeting, councillors heard residents would be invoiced for the new connectors, at a cost of less than $100. Cheryl Tkachuk, director of financial services, said homeowners would pay more if they were to replace the new connectors on their own using a private company.

“We found a cost-effective way for the homeowner to save time and money,” Tkachuk told council.

That idea didn’t sit well with some councillors though, who said residents shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for the changeover. The estimated cost to replace all the connectors is around $131,000, council heard.

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Ward 8 Coun. Ted Zurakowski said the city should cover the cost, which could be spread out over more than just one budget year.

“We should eat this, and not stick it on our residents,” Zurakowski said.

Ward 2 Coun. Terra Lennox-Zepp suggested the idea be sent back to council’s executive committee for another look. Lennox-Zepp said more work is needed to discuss the cost to residents for replacing the valves and a plan for communicating with residents.

Ward 6 Coun. Blake Edwards also balked at the idea of charging replacement costs to residents saying there was no prior notice they would be asked to pay.

“I don’t think this is good,” Edwards said at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Mayor Greg Dionne supported the idea, saying the city is offering to do the replacements at a lesser cost.

“If the valve is broken, it’s the resident’s valve, not ours,” Dionne said. “I think that was a very reasonable request on the department and I’m looking forward to the debate at executive committee.”

Local city bylaws require residents to ensure their water connector valve is working properly on both sides of the meter.

Charlene.tebbutt@jbpg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt