Water conservation has been at the forefront of the Township of Emo’s mandate recently, but it seems residents there still are not fully aware of the consequences of excessive water use.
Emo council was informed at its regular meeting last Tuesday (July 10) that the water treatment plant had been very close to its limit the previous day.
The plant can produce 950 cubic metres of water in 24 hours and a total of 730 cubic metres was used.
Since water usage doesn’t seem as high on rainy days, Emo council believes the increased demand of water is coming from outdoor non-essential use and residents not obeying the bylaws.
“We’re going to have to start fining people,” warned Emo Reeve Ed Carlson. “What’s the point in having a bylaw if you don’t enforce it?”
The bylaw states those residents living south of the train tracks may use water for non-essential purposes on even-numbered days and those north of the tracks can use water on odd days.
However, the hours of non-essential water use only can take place between 5 a.m.-7 a.m. and 8 p.m.-10 p.m. on the specified day.
Although the fine for non-compliance is $300, some councillors felt residents still will ignore the bylaw and continue to, for example, water their grass when the like.
“Surely if we make the fines stiff enough it will make a difference,” Reeve Carlson remarked.
The consequences of excessive water use does not just result in fines, but also the potential of poor water quality and lack of the resource altogether.
“If we had a fire, we’d be done,” stressed Coun. Ken Fisher, adding it is a very important issue that needs to be addressed, especially with the possibility of subdivision expansions in Emo in the future.
“It’s hard to tell people they can’t water their lawns, but they can fill their pools in Devlin,” he added.
Emo council agreed to have the bylaw enforcer be on the lookout for non-compliance, as well as seeing what it would take to enlarge the filter at the water treatment plant.
In other business at last Tuesday night’s meeting, Emo council heard from OPP Insp. Dave Lucas regarding several issues, the first being a request from Treaty #3 Police to move into the Emo detachment for a month while their office is being renovated.
Insp. Lucas was unaware of specific details of the request, but noted there only would be four staff members and officers using the facility.
“Our only concerns would be the increased cleaning we’d have to pick up and any maintenance, but I’m sure we can work something out,” Reeve Carlson said.
He added some improvements, such as painting and the installation of new flooring, are nearly complete at the Emo detachment.
“If we can help them, we’ll help them for a month,” Coun. Fisher added.
As well, Insp. Lucas addressed council regarding the township’s command post at the OPP building for the community control group in an emergency.
“It's not an issue with using it, I just don’t think it is a sufficient location,” he noted, explaining a larger area would be more suitable.
“You need a place with computer and phone lines, ample washrooms, and cooking facilities,” he stressed.
He added regular police business also would continue to go on there in an emergency, and said he feels it would be “too chaotic at a time when you need order and control.”
Insp, Lucas suggested the Emo-La Vallee community centre, but council indicated it’s not wheelchair accessible.
“I don’t know if there are any other buildings, but the current location is too disruptive for the community control group to function,” Insp. Lucas countered.
“You can keep it where it is for now, but you should look for a different place.”
Insp. Lucas offered to be involved in the process of looking for a new, suitable location, starting with perhaps the Emo Curling Club.
Also at the July 10 meeting, Emo council:
•discussed a few issues from the 2007 roads tour;
•tabled a bylaw for pool fencing regulations until more information could be obtained;
•acknowledged the grand opening for the Emo Ambulance Base, which will take place on Wednesday, July 25 at 1 p.m.;
•accepted the 2007/08 Agricultural Drainage Infrastructure Program from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs;
•agreed to support the Environment and Plastics Industry Council and the Ontario government’s effort to recycle plastic shopping bags in the province; and
•accepted an invitation to attend the 25th-annual Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference coming up Sept. 20-21 in Thunder Bay.
Emo council’s next meeting is slated for Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. at the municipal office.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
