Kincardine water users granted cost relief during deep freeze

Kincardine council has agreed to grant some cost relief to water users who are running their taps in order to keep their water pipes from freezing this winter.

In committee-of-the-whole last night (March 4), chief administrative officer Murray Clarke said the continuing cold temperatures and current depth of frost have resulted in an unprecedented number of frozen services in the municipality.

Residents are urged to continue to run their taps continuously to keep the waterlines from freezing, said Clarke, adding that, in some situations, residents are providing water to their neighbours whose pipes have frozen.

A motion was put on the council table that, in an effort to mitigate the cost of additional water consumption, council grant an exemption under the consolidated rates and fees bylaw, for all residential properties, by charging the equivalent of the fixed monthly rates only, from Feb. 1 until the risk of freezing has been reduced (estimated to the end of March or April).

Councillor Maureen Couture asked why only residential properties were included, since there have been a number of businesses affected as well.
"We want to engage the businesses separately," said Clarke, "because each situation is individual and unique."

Councillor Laura Haight, policy chairperson of public works, said there has been discussion of a proposed policy to address this in the future, as well as infrastructure improvements.

Councillor Andrew White noted the municipality is providing vouchers for cases of bottled water for those residents whose water services are frozen and haven't been restored yet; they can also use the shower facilities at the Davidson Centre, if required.

"Are we providing them with vouchers to go to the laundromat as well?" asked White.
"No," said Clarke.
"That's being done in the City of Guelph," said White.
"We could modify the motion to include laundry vouchers for affected households," said Clarke.
"We should look at that in the future," said Haight.

Committee-of-the-whole agreed with the motion.

Later, in council session, Clarke asked for an amendment to the motion, allowing staff some latitude in assisting the affected businesses.
Council agreed, and approved the amended motion.