Unexpected repairs on the Tay water and wastewater system will be included in upcoming tax bills for ratepayers.
However, the municipality says the work will ensure a compliant and safe system for the township and its residents going forward.
As a late addition to the agenda for the recent meeting of council regarding 2025 budget amendments, the move means the township’s water and wastewater generator fuel storage systems will be repaired to meet safety regulations.
Tay Township contains five water and four wastewater locations, each requiring generator fuel tanks for operation.
“The TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority) is very stringent on their requirements for our fuel systems,” general manager of operational services and engineering services manager Shawn Berriault told council.
“For the last couple of years, we’ve been fueling (the systems) internally because our new fuel contractor will not fill them without TSSA certification.”
Through the Ontario government, the non-profit TSSA administers technical safety regulations and safety oversight on a large number of infrastructure items in our daily lives as well as behind-the-scenes.
An inspection in mid-February identified “a bunch of deficiencies that need to be corrected”, said Berriault, to bring the generator fuel tanks to full compliance with safety standards.
For the five water facilities, quotes estimated at $83,810 to repair the systems were received; quotes for $61,350 came back which would fix the wastewater facilities. However, the costs arrived after the 2025 budget had been passed, requiring the budget amendment at the meeting.
“The problem is, we’ve got the report back and we need to do the work because TSSA could shut the systems down,” Berriault added.
It was noted in the report that there were no immediate safety concerns tagged on the systems, but that the repairs would be essential to prevent potential future issues while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Council approved that a new capital project item be added as a budget amendment for the two estimated costs, funded from the water and wastewater capital reserve. Furthermore, it was added that the forthcoming 2025 tax rate bylaw for the township should also receive an amendment for the capital project addition.
Repairs on the systems were listed in the report with a deadline of late May for completion.
The facility generator fuel storage system repairs report can be found in the agenda page on the Tay Township website.
Tay council meets for committee of the whole meetings every second Wednesday of the month, and regular council meetings every fourth Wednesday of the month. Archives and livestreams of council meetings are available through the Tay Township YouTube channel.