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Regioîi defends its costly Iwatermain replacement 8y IRENE GENTLE The Champion A Burlington resident who ran for the position of city and regional councillor in the last municipal elec- lion arrived at the Region to oppose Halton's costly cast iron waterrnain replacement program Wednesday. But staff fircd back with a detaited presentalion in defence of the program. which replaces cor- roded water pipes with longer-last- ing couniterparts. Luke McEachern told the Region's planning and public works commiltee that opposing the expensive program was part of bis election platform, as welI a.s that of bis wife, Lisa Cooper, who ran for Halton chair in NovembLr. The couple maintain that merety lining old, corroded pipes would be a more cost-effclive way 10 keep Halton's waler flowing at accept- able levels while eliminating coru- plaints about rusty water. He cited other regions, such as Toronto, which opted to relinc even older pipes. and wondcred wby Hallon had chosen the more expensivc solution. "The question begs ilself," said Mr. McEachern. "Why hase so many of these other communities, many o from tb decide( upgrade rather t open cul adopted He ar doesn'ti 'The want an tive imp progrant tas pay McEacl that are and shot But H Bonnet McEacli with th bave bu dient we reacted "Certa supply McEach a( al." And Savolit McEacli ally abe of shorii "Hall far abec lies you f whom draw their water A series of concerns led to the e same source as Halton. launching of the cast irmn replace- to1 go with remediat ment program, said Hatton's of existing infrastructure. Manager of Records and han the more expensive Information Linda Petelka. replacement that bas been "The cast iron program was in here?" response to overaîl system deti- gued that more expensive ciencies," she said. "We looked at nean better in this case. available water flows for tire, the taxpàiyers of Halton region structural integrity of the pipes as d are entitled to cost effec- well as water complaints." lementation of policy and Afler determining wbicb neigb- .s that are responsible to the bourboods had the most need, the ers first," said Mr. Region proceeded witb bringing aIl hern. "Quality programs aspects of the service up 10 stan- tiscally responsible do not dard. Defending Halton's choice as uld not always cost more." compared 10 that made by Toronto Reacton tmely or Peel, she said the situations are Reacton tmely different due 10 HalIon's rural alton Hilis Councillor Rick make-up. Though rebabilitating le wondered if Mr. dug up areas can cost big bucks in eru would be comfortable Toronto, the price tag plummels in eidea that a bouse could Hatton, wbicb is less dense and med down duc 10 insuffi- isn't hindered by items such as aIer flow if Ballon badn't streelcar wires. wvhen il did. She added that dirty water com- inly I'd want a safe. secure plaints have dropped by 20 per cent of water," said Mr. eacb year since the project began, cru. "1'm not arguing that and main breaks in soulh Ballon bave also been reduced front 216 in Halton Chair Joyce 199410o 127 in 2000. ne wondered if Mr. Commiltee members appeared er knew Halton was actu- satisfied witb the presentation, and ad of other areas in terrus asked that versions of il be present- ng up old infrastructure. cd 10 different groups, such as the on started doing that work Hatton Taxpayers Coalition, of d of those other municipali- wbicb Mr. McEachern is a mem- ve mentioned." she said. ber. The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, F.bruary 6. 2001 - $s $s$ $ $ $$$ $$$$ $$ sCLOSED WED. FER. 7 SOPEN THURS. FER. 8 $ GREAT BIBI$ 3 PAYS ONLY 224 MAIN ST. E. MILTON 878-0506 GLITZ Y CASUAL Y C LAS SI1C $ $$ $$ $$$ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $ $$$ $ $$$