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Planned water pipeline’s cost surges past $1B <BR>
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By Jeff Outhit, Record staff<BR>
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WATERLOO REGION — A new study estimates it would cost $1.2 billion to pipe drinking water from Lake Erie by 2035. <BR>
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That figure, calculated in 2008 dollars, is much higher than a previous estimate of $700 million, in 2007 dollars. But the pipeline is still feasible, the study concludes. <BR>
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Waterloo regional government prepared the feasibility study with six municipal and First Nations partners who might share the pipeline. <BR>
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The proposal is to draw water at Nanticoke. The site already has twin intake tunnels, a provincial permit to draw water, some preliminary facilities and 40 hectares of space for other facilities.<BR>
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The study looked at various pipeline options. It concludes the best one is to: <BR>
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Build a new water treatment plant at Nanticoke.<BR>
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Pipe treated water north toward Six Nations, then past Brantford and into Waterloo Region. <BR>
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Build storage and pumping facilities at four locations along the route.<BR>
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Branch off smaller pipelines to divert some water to participating communities.<BR>
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Costs would be shared by partners, and paid by water rates that would rise to cover the bill. <BR>
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However, the pipeline would not supply all local water demand. Some water would still have to be provided from local sources that include groundwater and the Grand River.<BR>
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The proposal “scares” John Jackson, chair of the Grand River Environmental Network, a coalition of local groups. <BR>
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“It’s completely unnecessary,” Jackson said. “It’s an engineer’s pipe dream. But it’s not the solution to our water problem.” <BR>
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Pipeline money is better spent retrofitting buildings to conserve water, he said. He’s also concerned about the energy needed to run huge water pumps. <BR>
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Regional councillors voted Tuesday to continue studying the pipeline, planned for 2035. This is prudent “whether we use it or not,” said Coun. Sean Strickland of Waterloo. <BR>
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Council’s shorter-term plan to meet water needs is to promote conservation, store treated water underground and find new groundwater sources. <BR>
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<I><a href="jouthit@therecord.com">jouthit@therecord.com</a><BR>
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John Jackson<BR>
17 Major Street<BR>
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 4R1<BR>
519-744-7503<BR>
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