New committee to address water issues in Tilton

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Spaniard’s Bay councillors have agreed to set up a new committee to look into the water shortages being experienced in Tilton.
The decision comes after council was contacted by a Tilton resident who reported the wells in the area are low on water, a problem that residents also experienced last year. The resident asked whether council could do anything to help and whether, as short-term assistance, a hose could be set up at the last fire hydrant by the overpass to create a closer point for residents to fill totes and water bottles.

Acting Town Manager Vanessa Higgins said Randy Davis of the Spaniard’s Bay – Tilton Volunteer Fire Department told her setting up a hose would be a simple task.
Mayor Paul Brazil noted council looked into the water issues in Tilton last year.

“The cost of just putting in the artesian well came in at $179,000, which is monstruous to our budget,” he said.

While that cost makes the well out of reach for the town, Brazil agreed they could likely implement a hose as requested. He also suggested that, for people who have tote systems, perhaps the fire department could top them up with the pumper once a week.

Higgins told Brazil she was not sure if the department could do so, and Brazil said he would mention it to the firechief.

Brazil asked people experiencing water issues in Tilton to contact the town office to confirm if the idea of periodically filling totes is viable. He remarked that he uses a tote system at his cabin and that it lasts him all summer. He speculated that a tote could last an actual house a week.

However, Deputy Mayor Tammy Oliver pointed out the request stated a resident with a large tote had to refill it every second day, indicating that full time residences go through water much faster than cabins. She said given the sizeable task that addressing Tilton’s water situation poses, it will have to go on the Town’s capital works project list. She added there are already other areas in the municipality on the waiting list for water and sewer services.

Councillor Darlene Stamp asked why the cost estimated for an artesian well last year was so high. She said that, for cabins, it typically costs between $5,000 and $10,000 for an artesian well.

Higgins suggested the high price might have been due to the fact that the well would have to serve a notable number of houses.
“I would guess it would have to go down super, super deep to keep up the flow,” agreed Oliver.

“If it’s something that the Town is seriously considering, putting an artesian well in, sure you could dig two or three and put the lines in and separate them,” Stamp said. She added many of the houses in the area are close together, suggesting it might be manageable with three wells and that the residents could be responsible for connecting their lines.

Stamp moved that council set up a committee to consider the options. It was seconded by councillor Debbie Newman. All present voted in favour.
Brazil then asked Stamp if she would chair the committee, to which she agreed.

Brazil said any councillors interested in being part of the committee should contact Stamp.