Alberta Central East (A.C.E.) Regional Water System March 2013 Update

Transcription

1 Alberta Central East (A.C.E.) Regional Water System March 2013 Update

2 What is ACE? The Alberta Central East Regional Water System (ACE) is the corporation comprised of the following thirteen municipalities (shareholders) created to supply potable water through a regional water system. County of Two Hills No. 21 County of Minburn No. 27 Town of Two Hills Village of Willingdon Village of Myrnam County of Vermilion River Village of Dewberry Village of Marwayne Village of Kitscoty Village of Paradise Valley Village of Innisfree Village of Mannville Town of Vermilion

3 How will the regional system work? The regional system includes over 350 kilometers of pipeline and multiple booster stations that will feed potable water from a transfer station in Vegreville to the thirteen municipalities and surrounding communities. Some communities like the Hamlet of Hairy Hill and Ranfurly for example will have truck fill station for easy distribution of the treated water. Water will be supplied from the North Saskatchewan River by EPCOR Utilities Inc. through the Capital Region Vegreville Corridor Water Services Commission. The treated water will be supplied to each municipality s reservoir by a trickle-feed system rather than a pressurized system. The municipality is still responsible for the distribution of the water to the residents via a pressurized system.

4 What stage is the project at now? There will be multiple phases to the project. Phase 1 (from Vegreville to Two Hills and Lavoy) is complete. Construction of Phase 2 (to Vermilion) will be completed in the Spring of 2013 and Phase 3 (Two Hills to Myrnam) is anticipated to begin in the Summer of The majority of the 350 km pipeline will be installed by open-cut trenching, which you will see off the shoulder of roadways and on farmland approaches. This will result in sections of single lane traffic and/or road closures during the construction process. Crossings of highways, County roads and active private driveways will be completed via open-cut trenching and/or directional drilling. The goal will be to minimize disruption to property access as much as possible.

5 Unofficial Pipeline Alignment

6 What is the total cost to build the regional system? The total capital costs of the regional water system is estimated to be in the range of $128 million to $163 million with the provincial government contributing a majority of the costs (approximately 90%). The remaining costs will be shared between the thirteen municipalities through a prorated share (based on population) for each phase of development. Currently the Town of Vermilion (as well as the other thirteen municipalities) have paid the costs for Phase 1 (to Lavoy and Two Hills). Cost of Phase 2 (to Vermilion) will be due in the spring when Vermilion comes on line. Phase 1 & 2 are the most expensive phases, accounting for 54% of the costs of the 5 phases. When phase 3,4 & 5 are constructed, Vermilion will be responsible for it s portion of those costs as well.

7 Municipal Contribution Breakdown 9% County of Two Hills (9.18%) County of Minburn No. 27 (8.28%) 8% Town of Two Hills (8.97%) 36% Village of Willingdon (2.39%) Village of Myrnam (2.93%) 9% County of Vermilion River (10.73%) Village of Dewberry (1.59%) 2% Village of Marwayne (4.45%) 3% Village of Kitscoty (5.90%) Village of Paradise Valley (1.48%) 6% 11% Village of Innisfree (1.89%) 2% 2% 6% 4% 2% Village of Mannville (6.33%) Town of Vermilion (35.88%) Municipality Contributions (Based on Population)

8 What about annual costs? Once a municipality has connected to the system, they will start contributing to the annual operation and maintenance costs (user fee). This user fee will be based on each municipality s actual water consumption. Vermilion s total cost (post provincial grant) for the ACE water system is estimated at $5.4 million with a life expectancy of 75 years. If the Town chose to upgrade the existing Water Treatment Plant, cost estimates were $ million with a life expectancy of years.

9 How much will it cost me? The Town of Vermilion s cost share of the project has been estimated to be $5,403,778 including a debenture of $3 million. The proposed household cost of water is estimated to be in the range of $3.00/m3 to $3.90/ m3 during the construction/ debenture process of the system. Once the regional water system is complete and the debenture is paid (approximately 2023) the household cost of water is estimated to be $2.50/m3. Estimated Cost of Water During Construction/Debenture $3.54/m 3 Low-end User 7.5 m 3 $26.55/ month Low-end User 7.5 m 3 $18.75/ month Mid-end User 15 m 3 $53.10/ month Estimated Cost of Water After Debenture $2.50/m 3 (10-15 years) Mid-end User 15 m3 $37.50/ month High-end User 30 m 3 $106.20/ month High-end User 30 m3 $75.00/ month

10 Utility Rate Changes With the water consumption rates increasing in 2012 & 2013, it may seem like the Town of Vermilion is asking residents to pay for a product that is not yet available. However, as a shareholder member of the Alberta Central East Regional Water Corporation, the Town of Vermilion is responsible for a portion of the costs for each phase of construction, this rate, as explained earlier, is based on population size. As each phase nears completion, the Town of Vermilion will remunerate our portion of the costs for work completed to date through a debenture payments.

11 Water Consumption Rate Comparison Guide 2012 Water Consumption Rate $2.18/m Water Consumption Rate $2.60/m 3 Low-end User Mid-end User High-end User Low-end User Mid-end User High-end User 7.5 m 3 15 m 3 30 m m 3 15 m 3 30 m 3 $16.35/ month $32.70/ month $65.40/ month $19.50/ month $39.00/ month $78.00/ month 2014 Estimated Water Consumption Rate $3.54/m 3 Estimated Rate After Debenture $2.50/m 3 Low-end User Mid-end User High-end User Low-end User Mid-end User High-end User 7.5 m 3 15 m 3 30 m m 3 15 m 3 30 m 3 $26.55/ month $53.10/ month $106.20/ month $18.75/ month $37.50/ month $75.00/ month

12 Is there a plan to reduce costs? In 2012 we started implementing a radio read water meter system. Radio readers provide accurate data on water usage. If your system has not been changed, please call the Town of Vermilion to have the new system installed in your home. The Town of Vermilion is also offering a Toilet Replacement Program for our residential and commercial utility account holders. This program will provide a rebate for the replacement of an old style high volume toilets with new low flush toilets.

13 What can I do to help reduce costs? The Town of Vermilion encourages all community members to conserve water! Here are a just a few examples on how you can reduce waste water in your home. When you clean your fish tank, you can reuse the water on your house plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer. If you use a layer of organic mulch around plants it will reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year. Insulate hot water pipes and you will use less water to get hot water to the faucet. Large trees require a lot of water. Direct downspouts and other runoff towards shrubs and trees to provide more water coverage.

14 Did you know? A leaky toilet can lose between 400 L to 34,560 L of water per day! That can be as much as $50 per day on your water bill. You can check for leaks in the toilet by adding food coloring in the tank and observing whether it spreads to the bowl without flushing. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, you have a leak. A leaky tap can lose 25 L of water per day! Repair leaky faucets and always turn off your taps tightly so they don't drip. Even leaving your tap on a slow drip for indoor animals can rack up your water bill considerably. If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, you may want to consider a water-efficient showerhead.

15 Still have questions? Please contact us at Town of Vermilion Transportation & Utilities Department