A report presented at the June 4 Lake of Bays Council meeting recommended that the municipality install pay-per-use metered water dispensers at a cost of 25 cents per litre (an additional $0.22 cents if using electronic payment ) at the three public potable water taps: Fire Station 2 in Port Cunnington, Fire Station 3 in Hillside, and the Lake of Bays Community Centre.
“Over the years, Provincial regulations governing “drinking water” have changed dramatically and are strictly enforced by Health Units since the Walkerton water crisis in May 2000. With regulations come requirements for the person/entity providing the drinking water. Treatment, testing, maintenance and training for staff. These requirements all generate costs associated with them,” noted Lake of Bays Superintendent of Parks & Facilities, Scott MacKinnon, in his report to council.
MacKinnon also indicated there are those who abuse access to free potable water. “It has been observed by numerous staff and community members, that the vast majority of people who are taking water from these sources are abusing the nature of these water taps. Very few users of the water taps make donations yet, continue to fill their containers and haul water. It is common to see individuals fill dozens of 18 L containers and still not leave any amount of donation. Others have been seen washing their vehicles using these public water taps, turning their vehicle as each side is washed. This happens not only in Summer, but all year long creating ice and unsafe conditions in temperatures below zero.”
He said expenses to run the water sources include things like filters, UV light bulbs, UV quartz sleeves, staff time for testing and maintenance, consulting fees, lab fees, and liability insurance. According to MacKinnon, as per the 2023 budget, it costs the municipality about $6,053 to run potable water at the sites.
The idea was discussed around the council table.
“I agree with your report. I use the water down at the fire hall. It’s cheaper than a $25,000 well. The water’s amazing,” said Councillor Mike Peppard.
Councillor George Anderson said he did not want to see metered water. He said he wants to leave things as they are, with donations going to the fire halls to enhance the fire departments. Councillor Bob Lacroix agreed. He said if annual donations amount to roughly $14,000 between all three sites, as per the report, and the cost is about $6,000, then donations are paying for the service. He said the money goes to the fire departments to pay for things that are not coming from the tax base. “I don’t personally see why we would take away a service that we’ve given to the public for years.”
Councillor Rick Brooks said the budgets for fire departments are a lot more robust now. “I do like the idea of having almost like a presto card where people can get a card that actually allows them to get water reasonably priced. Just compare that to getting water at a grocery store… to me, it’s the right thing to do,” he added. Brooks suggested an education campaign so people understand why they are being charged “and then let the public have their say.”
Mayor Terry Glover said he is not prepared to start charging for water without first trying to put up better signage and conduct a communication campaign to try and solve the problem of abuse. He said the issue could be revisited a year from now. “The problem is people are abusing the water system and we need to educate around that just like any other issues we have with problems that we deal with here at the table…”
Peppard said the only reason he was keen on the recommendation is because “the tap systems right now don’t work.” Peppard said they leak, sometimes you can’t shut them down and they create dangerous ice situations in winter.
Councillor Nancy Tapley suggested that the signs ought to be bigger. She also said she did not want to charge for water and did not believe it to be the municipality’s role to undercut the private sector. She said there are people who need that water, whose cottages don’t have potable water, including short-term rentals.
Councillor Brooks said he could agree not to charge for water if the system that is there is upgraded, as well as the message as to what people ought to be doing at the taps.
The conversation continued, and in the end, council directed staff to upgrade the water dispensing system, provide signage with a minimum suggested donation of $2, and create a communication plan to educate users about where the donations go. The resolution also indicated that all the donations go through the Township and be dispersed as per council direction.
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If you don’t like the taste or colour of your drinking water at the cottage there are existing and upcoming systems that create crystal clear, great tasting potable water from the air.
Atmospheric Water Generators.
Far more convenient than filling up and transporting water from the District. Not free though.
Far cheaper than buying bottled water.
Potable water available everywhere there is an electrical outlet.
The existing systems are just dehumidifiers designed specifically for generating potable water.
Same kind of energy used as a dehumidifier.
Upcoming systems use a special powder that absorbs water from the air and releases it when heated a bit.
They use far less energy.
Will be far cheaper than municipal connections and ongoing service charges.
Very high cost municipal systems are making themselves obsolete.
Starting with very high service charges areas like Muskoka.
Search “Pipeageddon” for the future of water.
“some homes won’t need a well or municipal connections.”
Septic systems already are far less expensive than municipal connections and ongoing service charges.
Most of your water usage doesn’t have to be potable/drinking water.
Use lake water for everything else including flushing your toilet.
Or, in town, use a year round underground cistern to water your lawn, wash your car and flush your toilet and avoid a lot of the massive water and sewer charges here.
The City of Guelph will pay you thousands to put in a cistern/rainwater harvesting system for non-potable water.
Among many other water conservation rebates.
Muskoka?
Not so much.
Free water.
It always amazes me that people will haul water to their million + dollar cottage rather than spend less the $400 for a simple filter/UV system on their existing water system, which they must have already.
As for car washing, how do they do this when the water supply is a push button that must be held in to get water? Do they dedicate their youngest child to “hold the button”, then hook up their hose and then wash the car? If someone can afford a car these days, they should have no issue washing it at some place other than the free potable tap at the fire hall. There are wash bays in Huntsville that are cheap, provide water and a wash gun.
Back to potable water. When folks are filling their bottles. Are the bottles clean, rinsed and all that? What about that hose hanging near the ground that you fill from. What animal last licked it during the night? What dust landed on it during the morning dew? Ever wonder what kind of bacteria are growing in the nice damp environment of this hose as it hangs beside the fire hall?
And, you may indeed save a bit of money on the water but what about the car you drive to get that water, the great and wonderful convenience of hauling the water in jugs. water is heavy, as anyone who has moved it can tell you. All these factors included, I’d think homeowners would be beating a path to their hardware store for that filter/uv light as fast as their little EV can move them.
It’s no surprise people will take advantage of free water.
$2,400/year is typical for water and sewer in Muskoka. And rising every year.
Including costs shown/hidden on our property taxes.
Highest cost in Ontario.
Cottagers complain about high taxes for low services. Rightly so.
But they can get free water and they don’t pay $2,400/year for water and sewer services.
Sewer charges are dependent on measured water usage so washing your car with free water means no sewer charges for water that never goes down the sewer.
Like the sewer charges for washing your car or watering your lawn at home.
Cost of services is so high here it’s possible to save $1,000/year or 80% of your usage with extreme water conservation/substitution.
Search “Oppose Bracebridge Sewers” for the website listing many inexpensive ways to save money.