Badger water system in dire straits

The community may be nestled on the banks of one of the largest rivers in the province, but having a reliable water system is a huge concern for Badger.

After the flood, which covered the much of the town in 2003, the water delivery system was in need of extensive repairs. A five-phase plan was developed for the required work and the initial phase has been completed.

However, according to the town council, the infrastructure there is in dire need of further repairs and the financially strapped municipality has no money to conduct any more work.

Mayor Bill Foley said the town borrowed money to complete the first phase of repairs, but is unable to do any more. He said the situation is critical for the town.

"We are at our borrowing limit and we just can't afford to borrow again," he stressed. "Phase two is on the backburner. It needs to be addressed now."

Mr. Foley said water pressure in the town is now down to 20 to 25 pounds, where it should be running at 47 or 48. Air in the water lines and problems with the chlorination system also need to be fixed. The town has also been clearing paths to the river in the event the pump system fails during a fire to ensure a water supply for fire department equipment.

"There is a lot of pug built up in the pumps," he said. "One of them shorted and the motor burned out. We have a temporary repair done but it is causing a strain on the electrical system. If the pumps go down we will be in dire straits because we will not have any water in the community. Then we will have to open up the rivers to get water into the system, which will in turn contaminate the system even more. I can't stress enough how serious the situation is."

Mayor Foley is meeting with provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs Dave Denine next week to explain the matter and appeal for help.

"It is a situation we need to address now, not tomorrow or the next day," said the mayor. "It needs our attention now."

He said he hopes the minister will recognize the dire straits the town finds itself in because of the problems.

The mayor said while the town is willing to do what it can to contribute to the project it will need help from the province.

"Phase two five years ago was estimated at $710, 000, but I have no idea what it would be now," he said. "Right now it is a case of sustaining what we have there. Most rural communities financially are not able to come up with what government expects them to. They are going to have to look at it. We are willing to contribute, but we have to see what we can afford."

He said raising taxes in the community is not an option.

"Putting up taxes is not right," the mayor said. "Our community is 60 per cent senior citizens. Our back tax collection has been collected substantially and we are willing to put what we have collected into the system."

He said he is grateful that the minister is willing to take the time to meet with him and is thankful for MHA Susan Sullivan's assistance in setting up the meeting, but he said government does hold some responsibility in the matter.

"What happened was that we are still rebuilding from the flood," Mayor Foley said. "I think government has to take some responsibility for that as well. The studies have been done and the suggestions have been made. We just need to sit down with government and see what route to take to get this done in the next three or four years.

"We need assistance, there is no doubt about it."