Pemberton seeks citizen approval for water treatment facility loan

The Village of Pemberton is seeking public input on a proposed loan repayment plan that would increase annual water rates for most residents.

On Nov. 5, council proposed borrowing up to $1.69 million from the municipal finance authority to help pay for a new water treatment facility. That loan will be repaid over a maximum term of 25 years.

To help pay back the loan, staff estimate average water frontage rates—an annual service charge for some property owners connected to the new water treatment services—will increase by $76.33 per year, from $71.19 to $147.52.

"This fee is calculated based on property frontage and specifically funds water treatment services, unlike general property taxes, which are based on property value and fund a range of public services," said Michelle Fernandes, communications and engagement advisor for the Village of Pemberton. 

According to the B.C. Community Charter, municipalities must obtain approval from the electors to borrow funds over a period of more than five years. The VOP can do so through an assent vote or by an alternative approval process (AAP). At the Nov. 5 council meeting, the village settled on the latter.

“Because an assent vote is costly and time-consuming, staff recommend that council direct staff to follow the alternative approval process,” read a report presented to council.  

“Under the AAP, if more than 10 per cent of the electorate submits a response indicating opposition to the loan authorization bylaw, council may decide not to pursue the proposed long-term borrowing or may proceed with an assent vote.”

The AAP will run from Dec. 16 to Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. The eligibility requirements to vote are included on the response form.

Most Pemberton residents are eligible to vote. However, the industrial park area and its residents, located seven minutes up Portage Road from downtown Pemberton, have been excluded from the AAP.

“Because the Industrial Park is supplied with water purchased from Lil'wat Nation, property owners will not benefit from the water treatment facility and will not be subject to increased water and frontage rates put in place to recover the long-term borrowing costs,” said a Dec. 5 staff report.

A 2020 annual water system report revealed elevated levels of manganese and iron in two crucial Pemberton wells, spurring the plan for a new water treatment faacility. While those levels were within Health Canada's maximum acceptable concentration limits for drinking water, they exceeded aesthetic objectives that address taste, odour, and colour. The report confirmed the elevated levels did not pose a health risk to residents.

After drilling two test wells in the Pemberton aquifer that showed insufficient yield and similarly poor water quality, the village opted to develop a new water treatment facility.

Eligible residents can submit their vote on the elector response form. The form is available at pemberton.ca, at the Village office or by emailing [email protected].