The Emo Municipal Council has enacted a water usage by-law, restricting the non-essential use of treated water drawn from the Emo municipal water distribution system.
The schedule for using water for non-essential purposes, including watering grass, gardens and flowers, is as follows: Residents living south of CN Rail track may water lawns, etc., on even calendar days, and residents north of the railroad tracks on odd calendar days.
This by-law, according to Reeve Russ Fortier, was required due to the overuse of treated water during the dry weather the community has experienced. The water treatment plant was not able to produce water fast enough to keep up with the usage, causing serious concerns for the water operators and council.
The increase in water usage has increased the operating costs. If this continues the water rates will have to be increased to cover the costs of treating additional water.
The Emo Volunteer Fire Department draws water supply from hydrants within the village for firefighting purposes. But due to the high water useage of water in the past two months, council is concerned there would not be sufficient water supply in the event of a fire in the community.
Residents’ co-operation is essential in water useage. The water usage by-law includes a penalty clause in the amount of $300 for those persons who ignore to follow the set schedule.
The township has prepared the quarterly report for the period of April 1, 2001 to June 30, 2001 describing the operation of the water treatment works and quality of drinking water.
This quarterly report is a requirement under the new Ontario Drinking Water Protection regulations passed by government of Ontario August, 2000. These reports are available at Emo Municipal Office without charge.
Secondly, the Township of Emo recently experienced extreme winds and thunderstorms, the town has requested the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to declare the Township of Emo a disaster area for the purposes of the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP).
Township of Emo respectfully requests financial assistance to alleviate the resulting costs due to the damage done to roads, bridges and structures within the township. And further, should the minister declare a disaster, council will immediately under the authority of ODRAP, appoint members to a disaster relief committee to administer ODRAP as required.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
