City ends debate over water system.

Thunder Bay city council has finally decided to go with a single-source water system, after spending nearly two years exploring the possibility of a dual-source system.

"I have to say that I-am very relieved that a decision was made," says Ken Boshcoff, mayor of Thunder Bay. "It was a very contentious debate on the source of Thunder Bay's future water supply, which is of its own makings, a very complex and political process...but water is an emotional topic."

The decision by council to go ahead with a single-source water system from Bar Point on Lake Superior was Passed by a 10-3 vote in late November. In order to qualify for $11 million from the provincial government's SuperBuild Millennium program, the city needed to send an application outlining its priority projects by Jan. 1, 2003. Now that it has made a decision on the type of water supply system, the city is eligible for approximately $5 million from the federal Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program.

"It certainly clarifies our own priorities for what the city will be applying for the SuperBuild for us," Boshcoff says. "So, it really simplifies matters, but we can understand the government's concern about it. It was delayed politically for almost 20 months by a group of councillors."

Thunder Bay's new water system is expected to be funded by the $16 million, and also from the city's water reserve fund.

Consequently, the water rates for the city are expected to go up by approximately five per cent each year for the next 10 years, according to city engineer Doug Scott.

Boshcoff says the single-source system is by far the most economical and beneficial water supply system of choice.

"It is much more economical, by $14 million, it is not just my feelings, those are the hard numbers," Boshcoff says.

Ratification of the vote occured on Dec. 16 during a council meeting, although one city councillor did request a notice of motion to reconsider the decision. However, nine votes would be required in order to reverse the decision, Boshcoff explains.

The single-source system still has to be approved by the Ministry of Environment. The city's consultant on the project has indicated that about four months will be required to complete the design work, and six weeks will then be needed to tender the project and find a general contractor. Scott anticipates it will take about 18 months to complete the construction of the Bare Point expansion at an estimated cost of $19.3 million. The new system is expected to cost between $55 million and $57 million, depending on where city council decides to put a new six-million-gallon reservoir, Scott notes. Consultants began soil testing at two potential reservoir sites; They were expected to make a decision on the site by Christmas time. The existing water facilities will continue to operate until the Bare Point expansion is complete.