Half-way across

Mayor Peter Mertens

County and Belleville agree on more water

After months of negotiation, Prince Edward County reached an agreement with the City of Belleville to increase the allotment of water it will sell to the County. In a deal inked last week, the County will see its allotment rise from 128 million litres per year to 326 million litres per year.

According to Mayor Peter Mertens, this should address growth and development needs for the next 25 years.

Mertens applauded the efforts of City of Belleville staff, council and Mayor Neil Ellis for their work in puttin this deal together.

There is, however, a thornier matter, the two sides still need to hammer out. Money.

“The other half of this equation—the pricing— is not settled. It is negotiation that will continue this week,” said Mertens.

Currently, the County pays Belleville $3.53 for every cubic metre of water it receives from across the bridge. Meanwhile other bulk water users pay just $1.48 per cubic metre—less than half the rate paid by the County.

“Our position is that we should pay the bulk water rate every one else does,” said Mertens. “Anybody else who drives up to their pumps gets that rate—we should get that rate too.”

But Belleville points to a consultant’s report that tabulates the life cycle of the water plant and seeks to recover renewal costs.

Mayor Mertens agrees the rate the County pays should reflect both the current and future capital costs, but at the same level as other bulk users.

“The plant we use is directly across the bay. We own and maintain all the pipes and infrastructure that moves the water to the County and distributes it. We are good neighbours. We have many of the same interests. There is no reason for us to pay more than other bulk customers,” he said.