In Fort St John, as in many communities our budgets are separated into Capital and Operating. Our Capital budget further separates out the Water and Sewer from other projects.
From all the conversations we have had with the community over the years, we have heard your concerns about the value of water. With that in mind, the principles created to move forward were
- Conservation
- Financial Sustainability
The first, water conservation saw success with the programs initiated. We were able to decrease the community's water usage by 42%. This extends the life of the water treatment plant at it's present capacity.
Council is now moving to achieve the second goal for water and sewer, financial sustainability.
Costs of collecting and purifying water regulated by health departments has only recently been recognized. Distribution of this water has now been impacted by the Tangible Capital Assets (TCA) Processing the sewage is becoming increasingly expensive.*
Council has before us some options on how we achieve goal #2. Here is a .pdf of the
water rates presentation we received.
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*FSJ is in the process of renewing it's Liquid Waste Management Plan. A committee has been made up of those in our community in fields of engineering, water and health professionals. It is anticipated that the plan will be complete by mid 2012.