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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Sewer, water dispute splits small village

System key to development: reeve

By: Bill Redekop / Open Road

Posted: 01/18/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Elma�s Ukrainian Catholic Church, which has no running water and uses an outhouse (far right), opposes new system.

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KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Leonard John Garowey is among residents objecting to the cost.

It may be the most expensive sewer and water system per capita ever planned in Manitoba, costing up to $34,000 for some residents -- or $64,000 amortized over 20 years.

That prompted holders of 56 land titles in the village of Elma -- a 45-minute drive east of Winnipeg -- to register their opposition at a Dec. 15 municipal council meeting. Even Father Jose Montepegue showed up. There is no longer a Roman Catholic church in Elma but the church would still have to pay $15,000 for its cemetery. Fr. Montepegue said his parishioners in the cemetery don't need a washroom.

The still-open Ukrainian Catholic Church in Elma, which has no running water, just an outhouse, is also opposed.

But while opposing property owners of 56 land titles -- some own more than one parcel -- make up more than half the 96 land titles in Elma, it wasn't enough. A two-thirds majority (64) was required to defeat the local improvement plan.

"I can't pay $34,000 to flush the toilet," said Tom Slymkevich, who uses well water and a septic field like most residents. "It's not that I'm against a new water and sewer system. I just can't afford it."

The high cost per resident is a problem when trying to upgrade water and waste systems in small communities, said Glenn Malkoske, reeve of the RM of Whitemouth that includes Elma. The new system will cost about $4 million, shared equally by the province, Ottawa and the RM. The cost to a typical homeowner with one lot is $23,000, or $43,000 amortized over 20 years on a property tax bill.

But Elma residents have been under a boil water advisory for almost a decade. Sewage is also leaking into ditches and the Whitemouth River that runs past the town, Malkoske said.

"We could be running into problems with Manitoba Conservation with the septic fields in town. I don't think it's a situation it's going to tolerate for long," he said.

"It certainly holds up development," said Malkoske about a lack of a modern sewer and water system in Elma, at the junction of Highways 15 and 11. "It's a nice community along the banks of Whitemouth River. It has all kinds of opportunities, but with no infrastructure, the chance of economic development is non-existent."

It's a low-pressure septic system, meaning that while grey water collects in a lagoon outside town, solids will still go to homeowner septic tanks. That means existing tanks will all be inspected and many will have to be replaced because of leaks or because they do not fit requirements of the modern system. That will cost homeowners another $5,000, Malkoske conceded.

The planned waste and water system has strong supporters, too. However, the issue has torn the community.

"It was a nice friendly community. Now certain people don't talk to you," said Slymkevich.

He also questioned the vote. The RM has three properties in town, and the RM dismissed the request of the family of a man who died recently and who owned four lots. The family requested his four lots be registered as opposing the project.

Residents have begun a letter-writing campaign to the provincial Municipal Board asking for a public hearing.

A hearing is automatically triggered if 25 or more taxpayers write a letter objecting to third reading of the plan.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 18, 2010 A3

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