Tignish sewer rates could double

Homeowners in Tignish could see their sewer rates more than double because of a new lagoon cell that's needed.

We have no other choice but to do it. Allan McInnis

Rates could be going from about $180 per year to about $400, if the money is borrowed over six years.

Tignish chairman Allan McInnis said the lagoon was built in the early 1960s and is past its life expectancy.

'Not working to 100 per cent'

"We're at a turning point right now that we have to do something with our lagoon because it's not working to 100 per cent. We're down probably to about a 60 per cent, 50, 60 per cent," he said.

"We're compelled to do it actually. We have no other choice but to do it."

The total project will cost about $1.3 million. Half will be covered by the federal government and a quarter by province, leaving the rest for the town to borrow.

Needs IRAC approval

Any rate increase would have to be approved by IRAC.

McInnis said the lagoon is also needed because the community has gone from about 650 people to 900 in the last couple of years.

"We could probably drag our heels for another year or two, but then we might be not able to put in any building permits and that would stop us from expanding our community," he said.

A public meeting is planned for the spring.

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