Stewiacke slows development pending new water treatment plant

Stewiacke, a town in Colchester County, has recently implemented new regulations in an effort to control a development surge, citing concerns about the aging water treatment plant. Mayor Doug Glasser expressed uncertainty about the capacity of the current system, stating that the plant is nearing the end of its lifespan and that these measures are essential to safeguard the water supply for residents.

“We want our community to continue to grow, but we must do so responsibly,” said Glasser, who was acclaimed as mayor of the town with a population of over 1,500 in October.

Previously, the municipal planning strategy indicated “significant capacity” to support future development. However, recent summers have demonstrated otherwise. This week, the town issued a water-usage advisory advising residents to take shorter showers, refrain from watering lawns, and implement other conservation measures. The town’s water source, the St. Andrews River, is currently low, and when it rains, silt is stirred up in the river, making it challenging to treat the water efficiently.

“The water entering the system is so murky that we cannot treat it fast enough. The machines used to treat the water are also at risk, and we are unsure if they will last for another week, month, or year,” explained Mayor Glasser.

Following a public hearing on June 9, the council approved amendments to temporarily slow down residential development. Additionally, there are now restrictions on water-intensive commercial activities such as car washes and laundromats.

The new regulations, deemed temporary until a new facility is constructed, include a halt on development permits for apartment buildings in the serviced area. In unserviced areas, only three lots can be created from a piece of land each calendar year.

Joely Killen, owner of Ruby’s Way Developments, expressed surprise at the town’s decision to limit development as the only solution. The changes have impacted the second and third phases of her development plans, potentially leading her to invest in other areas outside of Stewiacke.

Scott Armstrong, the PC MLA for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, voiced support for the interim measures, emphasizing the importance of having adequate infrastructure in place for growth. He stated that he would advocate for a new water treatment plant once the town submits a funding application.

The town is seeking approval from the Environment Department to drill a well as an alternative to relying on the river for water supply. Mayor Glasser is hopeful that the federal and provincial governments will each contribute a third of the project costs. However, he anticipates that it may take three to five years before a new water treatment plant becomes operational.