A Vernon resident and former councillor is putting pressure on the city to respond to sewer concerns.
Barry Beardsell talked to council on Monday, June 23, during the public input session for the 2024 Annual Report.
“We have got problems with the sewer,” said Beardsell, regarding the increased rates taxpayers have had to pay in the past few years.
User fees for sewer rates have increased, from $218.20 in 2023, to $244.24 for 2026, which represents a cumulative 2.5 per cent increase on sewer fees each year, in addition to 3 per cent annual rate increases which council approved back in 2021.
The increases came while a new high-rate anaerobic digester was completed at the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre.
At the time, Inge Friesen wrote a letter to council which accused the city of " fund(ing) the construction of a dedicated sewer pipe for the Okanagan Spring Brewery and a high-strength waste reactor, thereby depleting sewer reserves."
The Brewery was the only user connected to the new digester.
“Urban Systems when they did a study, they said that the one that benefited should pay all the costs, and you haven't done that,” said Beardsell, who is referring to a 2016 Phase 1 Master Wastewater Recovery Feasibility Project where Urban Systems was quoted that each partner would purchase capacity at the treatment plant and pay for their share of the infrastructure that benefits them.
“You have given a benefit to a taxpayer, which isn’t allowed unless you get special dispensation and as far as I am aware, you did not do that,” said Beardsell. “That is my problem with the sewer facility and I expect some answers on it and a response from council as to what you are going to do.”
Mayor Victor Cumming stated after the question that, as in the past, “we will respond to your comments.”
