Increased Budget Approved for Critical Infrastructure Project
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An increase to the budget for the Village’s Wastewater Upgrades Project has been approved by council, recognizing the critical importance of the work required to meet federal standards and avoid significant fines.
An update on the project, presented at Feb. 12’s council meeting, included an overview of budget increases due to increased materials costs, unexpected site conditions, inflation, delays in detailed design and other factors.
It also included notice of a wastewater federal enforcement warning letter, notifying the Village that the current treatment system does not meet the requirements of the current operating permit – and could face significant fines in the future if improvements do not proceed.
“We understand that project cost increases affect everyone in Cumberland and we’re working hard to reduce that pressure on our residents while ensuring that we can respond to other needs in the community,” said Mayor Vickey Brown. “At the end of the day, we do not have a choice, our wastewater system must be improved now.”
A budget increase of $1.52 million has been approved by council, and the Village proposes to proceed with an Alternate Approval Process to seek residents’ approval for the additional proposed borrowing. More information will be shared in March about the borrowing process and impacts to residents’ tax rates. In the interim, $1.52 million of temporary funding will be used from the Village’s reserves, in order to keep the project moving forward.
With the revised budget, phase 1 of the Wastewater Upgrades Project is estimated to cost $16.7 million (from $14.5 million previously estimated). The following grant funds have been committed to the project: $7.113 million from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and $0.49 million from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund.
In order to reduce pressure on the current wastewater treatment system, Council also approved a recommendation to close the RV Sani Station on Dunsmuir Ave. The closure comes following concerns about increased loading on the treatment system and the impacts of the sani-station due to lack of control about how much is deposited, and what is being deposited, such as treatment products. The RV sani-station has seen increased usage since becoming the only dump station available between Bowser and Oyster River, following the closure of other facilities.
In recognition of the continued challenges with the wastewater treatment system in Cumberland, the Village will proceed with closure of the station.
Keep Informed
The Village will actively communicate with the public about the Alternate Approval Process for borrowing, expected to occur in April and May 2024.
To keep informed of the project progress, please visit cumberland.ca/wastewaterupgrades, or email wwt-upgrades@nullcumberland.ca.