BlackburnNews.com File Photo. (Photo by Jason Viau)BlackburnNews.com File Photo. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Midwestern

South Bruce Peninsula Considers Shutting Down Amabel Water System

South Bruce Peninsula council wants to know if it has the legal authority to shut down all or parts of the Amabel water system.

Council voted to seek a legal opinion as to whether it can shut down the water system in the former Amabel Township, which is an amalgamation of four water treatment plants in the Sauble Beach and surrounding area that services about 400 developed properties.

The move came on the heels of council learning the problematic Oliphant water treatment plant is still not back in service, despite council receiving a grant last year to cover 65-percent of the $500,000 cost of repairing the plant that has been shut down since 2011.

Mayor Janice Jackson says the previous council was told they could not shut down a water system, but she thinks it's worth exploring again.

"I still believe that it's absolutely possible and especially with a well that can't be repaired, one that's financially crippling to our people. So I really think we need to really get serious about looking into what we need to do to decommission all or part of the Amabel water system," says Jackson.

The Oliphant system only has about two dozen connections and the treatment plant has been used as a reservoir for water trucked in from Wiarton since the plant was shut down four years ago.

Council voted to continue that practice until they hear more from their lawyer.

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