The Regional District of Nanaimo is set to expand the San Pareil water service to properties not connected to its water distribution system.
There are 41 properties in the San Pareil neighbourhood that currently draw water from shallow, private wells. They also have their own septic fields for sewage disposal which makes the private wells susceptible to acquifer contamination.
In 2017, the RDN, upon the requests of residents, investigated the inclusion of the 41 properties. An engineerintg design for the expansion was completed along with a construction cost estimate.
This year, the RDN finalized a capital cost charge bylaw and adopted it to set the cost for new properties to join the water service area. A public information session on the project was held in Parksville in April. An invitation was sent to all the properties linked to the water services area as well as the 41 properties outside the service area. Approximately 40-50 residents attended and there was general support for the project.
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The RDN is now proceeding to a petition process for the affected property owners. If the petition is successful, each of the 41 owners will pay an equal share of the construction costs for the expansion and the capital cost charge as well as the cost to connect their houses to the community water system. The estimated cost to each property owner will be approximately $25,000.
This charge is calculated by determining the total current value of the common assets within the water service area divided by the number of properties in the service area. It represents the value held by each property owner in the service area and is the amount payable by new additions on entry to the service area.
