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Central Water in Chester

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Consultation has concluded

Image of water running from a tap


The Municipality of Chester is working with the Village of Chester Commission to investigate the potential for installing a central water system for the Village of Chester.

Data collection, growth analysis and community buy-in are critical to the decision. Both the Municipality and the Commission have invested significant funds in collecting data on existing conditions and examining the socio-economic factors related to a central water system for Chester.

On this site, you will find past documents, answers to frequently asked questions, important dates, and hopefully all of the facts you need to become informed about this issue. Please browse through, and we encourage you to register so you can comment and ask questions.


The Municipality of Chester is working with the Village of Chester Commission to investigate the potential for installing a central water system for the Village of Chester.

Data collection, growth analysis and community buy-in are critical to the decision. Both the Municipality and the Commission have invested significant funds in collecting data on existing conditions and examining the socio-economic factors related to a central water system for Chester.

On this site, you will find past documents, answers to frequently asked questions, important dates, and hopefully all of the facts you need to become informed about this issue. Please browse through, and we encourage you to register so you can comment and ask questions.

Consultation has concluded

Can't find the answers you are looking for? Ask us!

  • Share Whereas over 90% of the students attending the 2 Chester Area Schools live outside of the proposed Village water area will MODC, be requesting, in addition to the 75% federal/provincial funding, 3 million dollars from the South Shore Regional Centre for Education/Department of Education to help offset MODC's costs to provide clean fresh potable water? on Facebook Share Whereas over 90% of the students attending the 2 Chester Area Schools live outside of the proposed Village water area will MODC, be requesting, in addition to the 75% federal/provincial funding, 3 million dollars from the South Shore Regional Centre for Education/Department of Education to help offset MODC's costs to provide clean fresh potable water? on Twitter Share Whereas over 90% of the students attending the 2 Chester Area Schools live outside of the proposed Village water area will MODC, be requesting, in addition to the 75% federal/provincial funding, 3 million dollars from the South Shore Regional Centre for Education/Department of Education to help offset MODC's costs to provide clean fresh potable water? on Linkedin Email Whereas over 90% of the students attending the 2 Chester Area Schools live outside of the proposed Village water area will MODC, be requesting, in addition to the 75% federal/provincial funding, 3 million dollars from the South Shore Regional Centre for Education/Department of Education to help offset MODC's costs to provide clean fresh potable water? link

    Whereas over 90% of the students attending the 2 Chester Area Schools live outside of the proposed Village water area will MODC, be requesting, in addition to the 75% federal/provincial funding, 3 million dollars from the South Shore Regional Centre for Education/Department of Education to help offset MODC's costs to provide clean fresh potable water?

    Darrell Tingley asked almost 6 years ago

    Answered by our Director of Finance and Director of Engineering & Public Works.

    Under the current proposed model, the schools included in the serviceable boundary will be charged like all other properties: using a uniform charge. If the project proceeds, a local improvement charge by-law will be developed that could alter the charge method, however, they will still be charged capital costs along with costs associated with hook-up, distribution and usage if they choose to connect.

    Currently, schools/education are funded by the Province. However, the money used by the Province to fund education comes from municipal property taxes because municipalities and towns are required to pay (refer to our annual budget documents to reference current and past amounts). So, in fact, the general assessment/public will pay for the schools' capital charges in the end because that's where funding for the South Shore Regional Centre for Education comes from. There are no other substantial funding sources other than specified government funding programs and the users themselves for this type of project.


  • Share How many properties are actually having problems and has the Planning Dept actually mapped them. Could I see such a detailed map on Facebook Share How many properties are actually having problems and has the Planning Dept actually mapped them. Could I see such a detailed map on Twitter Share How many properties are actually having problems and has the Planning Dept actually mapped them. Could I see such a detailed map on Linkedin Email How many properties are actually having problems and has the Planning Dept actually mapped them. Could I see such a detailed map link

    How many properties are actually having problems and has the Planning Dept actually mapped them. Could I see such a detailed map

    malcsq asked over 5 years ago

    The Director of Engineering & Public Works responds,

    For the last couple of years, we have collected information on dry wells in the Municipality of Chester. The data, voluntarily submitted by our residents, was collected and compiled into a report that indicates trends in specific areas of MOC. We also have the report written by our consultants, CBCL Ltd., that gives us a snapshot of water quality and quantity issues of a percentage of wells in the Village of Chester. Testing was taken by CBCL on wells that volunteered for testing. We can provide some general information on both accounts. The Planning Department has not, to date, mapped this information.

    As an aside, we are forming a Water Strategy Committee that will meet in the next week. An update will be provided on Voices and Choices after that meeting.

  • Share Hi Since the vote was 57% no, it is a majority vote. Therefore you should not be even considering going forward with this water project. A vote is a vote. If you ignore this, then what was even the sense of going through all of this in the first place. You have been elected to represent the majority - you need to remember this. on Facebook Share Hi Since the vote was 57% no, it is a majority vote. Therefore you should not be even considering going forward with this water project. A vote is a vote. If you ignore this, then what was even the sense of going through all of this in the first place. You have been elected to represent the majority - you need to remember this. on Twitter Share Hi Since the vote was 57% no, it is a majority vote. Therefore you should not be even considering going forward with this water project. A vote is a vote. If you ignore this, then what was even the sense of going through all of this in the first place. You have been elected to represent the majority - you need to remember this. on Linkedin Email Hi Since the vote was 57% no, it is a majority vote. Therefore you should not be even considering going forward with this water project. A vote is a vote. If you ignore this, then what was even the sense of going through all of this in the first place. You have been elected to represent the majority - you need to remember this. link

    Hi Since the vote was 57% no, it is a majority vote. Therefore you should not be even considering going forward with this water project. A vote is a vote. If you ignore this, then what was even the sense of going through all of this in the first place. You have been elected to represent the majority - you need to remember this.

    DES asked almost 6 years ago

    Council, at their meeting on February 7, made a motion that the Municipality not proceed with the project, but have staff investigate options that we can provide to residents experiencing issues.

  • Share Thank you for posting the vote results so quickly. Would you please post the individual zone results, too? Thanks, Nancy on Facebook Share Thank you for posting the vote results so quickly. Would you please post the individual zone results, too? Thanks, Nancy on Twitter Share Thank you for posting the vote results so quickly. Would you please post the individual zone results, too? Thanks, Nancy on Linkedin Email Thank you for posting the vote results so quickly. Would you please post the individual zone results, too? Thanks, Nancy link

    Thank you for posting the vote results so quickly. Would you please post the individual zone results, too? Thanks, Nancy

    witeg8 asked almost 6 years ago

    Hi Nancy,

    Those results will be posted after Council receives them for their February 7 meeting.

  • Share For clarification purposes please advise of the amount of money which is anticipated in the poll question: is it $48 million? is it $12 million or is it $1.7 million or is it zero as per the resolution passed by council? on Facebook Share For clarification purposes please advise of the amount of money which is anticipated in the poll question: is it $48 million? is it $12 million or is it $1.7 million or is it zero as per the resolution passed by council? on Twitter Share For clarification purposes please advise of the amount of money which is anticipated in the poll question: is it $48 million? is it $12 million or is it $1.7 million or is it zero as per the resolution passed by council? on Linkedin Email For clarification purposes please advise of the amount of money which is anticipated in the poll question: is it $48 million? is it $12 million or is it $1.7 million or is it zero as per the resolution passed by council? link

    For clarification purposes please advise of the amount of money which is anticipated in the poll question: is it $48 million? is it $12 million or is it $1.7 million or is it zero as per the resolution passed by council?

    Darrell Tingley asked almost 6 years ago

    The poll question, as approved by Council on November 29, remains,

    "The Village of Chester area commonly experiences quantity and quality problems with its drinking water drawn from private wells.  A central water system would provide a clean, safe and reliable source of water supply, at a cost shared by residents in the proposed service area.

    Therefore,

    Are you for or are you against the Municipality of the District of Chester (MODC) constructing a central water system for the Village of Chester area?

    __ I am for MODC constructing

    __ I am against MODC constructing"

    The poll question does not include an amount of money.

  • Share Whereas Warden Webber failed to attend the first public meeting in December; and whereas his absence created confusion in getting clear and direct answers to the questions posed and whereas staff was put in an difficult position will Warden Webber be in attendance at the January 15, 2019 public meeting to answer resident questions regarding municipal water for the masses? on Facebook Share Whereas Warden Webber failed to attend the first public meeting in December; and whereas his absence created confusion in getting clear and direct answers to the questions posed and whereas staff was put in an difficult position will Warden Webber be in attendance at the January 15, 2019 public meeting to answer resident questions regarding municipal water for the masses? on Twitter Share Whereas Warden Webber failed to attend the first public meeting in December; and whereas his absence created confusion in getting clear and direct answers to the questions posed and whereas staff was put in an difficult position will Warden Webber be in attendance at the January 15, 2019 public meeting to answer resident questions regarding municipal water for the masses? on Linkedin Email Whereas Warden Webber failed to attend the first public meeting in December; and whereas his absence created confusion in getting clear and direct answers to the questions posed and whereas staff was put in an difficult position will Warden Webber be in attendance at the January 15, 2019 public meeting to answer resident questions regarding municipal water for the masses? link

    Whereas Warden Webber failed to attend the first public meeting in December; and whereas his absence created confusion in getting clear and direct answers to the questions posed and whereas staff was put in an difficult position will Warden Webber be in attendance at the January 15, 2019 public meeting to answer resident questions regarding municipal water for the masses?

    Darrell Tingley asked almost 6 years ago

    Yes, he was present at the meeting.

  • Share I am now at my home in Florida. I would like to vote on the water issue. Could you please give me a number so I can vote. Thanks Peter McCurdy P.McCurdy1@aol.com on Facebook Share I am now at my home in Florida. I would like to vote on the water issue. Could you please give me a number so I can vote. Thanks Peter McCurdy P.McCurdy1@aol.com on Twitter Share I am now at my home in Florida. I would like to vote on the water issue. Could you please give me a number so I can vote. Thanks Peter McCurdy P.McCurdy1@aol.com on Linkedin Email I am now at my home in Florida. I would like to vote on the water issue. Could you please give me a number so I can vote. Thanks Peter McCurdy P.McCurdy1@aol.com link

    I am now at my home in Florida. I would like to vote on the water issue. Could you please give me a number so I can vote. Thanks Peter McCurdy P.McCurdy1@aol.com

    PeterM asked almost 6 years ago

    Our Municipal Clerk, Pam Myra, will contact you with a PIN (Personal Identification Number). If she cannot reach you, you can contact her at 902-275-3631 or election@chester.ca

  • Share How can I vote online on Facebook Share How can I vote online on Twitter Share How can I vote online on Linkedin Email How can I vote online link

    How can I vote online

    MrBill asked almost 6 years ago

    If you live inside the Village of Chester boundary, you should have received instructions on how to vote in the mail this week. If you didn't, please contact our Municipal Clerk, Pam Myra, at 902-275-3631 or email her at election@chester.ca

  • Share The MODC response to a FAQ on the poll, advises that a " Majority vote is critical ". Does this mean 50% +1 of the votes cast, or some other number? Does this mean that 50% +1 of the eligible PID's , estimated at 1100 +/- must cast a vote for the poll to be valid? Or some other number? For example, if the total number of votes cast is 250, will the poll be considered valid? on Facebook Share The MODC response to a FAQ on the poll, advises that a " Majority vote is critical ". Does this mean 50% +1 of the votes cast, or some other number? Does this mean that 50% +1 of the eligible PID's , estimated at 1100 +/- must cast a vote for the poll to be valid? Or some other number? For example, if the total number of votes cast is 250, will the poll be considered valid? on Twitter Share The MODC response to a FAQ on the poll, advises that a " Majority vote is critical ". Does this mean 50% +1 of the votes cast, or some other number? Does this mean that 50% +1 of the eligible PID's , estimated at 1100 +/- must cast a vote for the poll to be valid? Or some other number? For example, if the total number of votes cast is 250, will the poll be considered valid? on Linkedin Email The MODC response to a FAQ on the poll, advises that a " Majority vote is critical ". Does this mean 50% +1 of the votes cast, or some other number? Does this mean that 50% +1 of the eligible PID's , estimated at 1100 +/- must cast a vote for the poll to be valid? Or some other number? For example, if the total number of votes cast is 250, will the poll be considered valid? link

    The MODC response to a FAQ on the poll, advises that a " Majority vote is critical ". Does this mean 50% +1 of the votes cast, or some other number? Does this mean that 50% +1 of the eligible PID's , estimated at 1100 +/- must cast a vote for the poll to be valid? Or some other number? For example, if the total number of votes cast is 250, will the poll be considered valid?

    Lumpfish asked almost 6 years ago

    Council did not quantify the definition of "majority" in terms of this poll. The reason is because the poll is not the only deciding factor in whether the Municipality will proceed with a central water system or not. With a project as large as this one, there are many variables. For example, did one entire zone vote 90% against and another vote 90% in favour? Were only 100 votes cast? If the result is 55% to 45% (either direction), does that number pay unwanted capital costs or is the other number denied a wanted system? Therefore, Council will used the results as a guide and will consider the nuances within the poll as well as other factors.

  • Share Will the wording of the question on the water system ballot be made public before the January 15 information meeting? on Facebook Share Will the wording of the question on the water system ballot be made public before the January 15 information meeting? on Twitter Share Will the wording of the question on the water system ballot be made public before the January 15 information meeting? on Linkedin Email Will the wording of the question on the water system ballot be made public before the January 15 information meeting? link

    Will the wording of the question on the water system ballot be made public before the January 15 information meeting?

    Lumpfish asked almost 6 years ago

    The wording has already been made public in several ways: 1) on the reverse side of the second (most recent) voter information letter; 2) on a polling fact sheet that was distributed at the last information session; and 3) the same polling fact sheet that is posted on this website. For convenience, the wording is,

    “The Village of Chester area commonly experiences quantity and quality problems with its drinking water drawn from private wells. A central water system would provide a clean, safe and reliable source of water supply at a cost shared by residents in the proposed service area.

    Therefore, are you for - or are you against - the Municipality of the District of Chester (MODC) constructing a central water system for the Village of Chester area?

    I am for MODC constructing OR I am against MODC constructing”