Hi, my name is Daniel and I live in Sage Mesa, a community that has been grappling with ongoing issues with our water supply system. The quote to fix it is $33 Million, and the proposed solution is that residents either pay $1,000 monthly for 30 years to fund the necessary repairs, or worse - for each of the 242 households to cough up $137,000.  This exorbitant fee is beyond what most families in our community can afford, including mine. Many of us are at risk of losing our homes. This levy would also effectively make our properties unsellable, trapping us in a situation where we cannot afford to stay, but will have no way of leaving.

Since learning that I may lose my home, many nights I can't sleep, and my skin has broken out with itchy hives.  Other residents I've spoken to are also experiencing physical manifestations of the stress and anxiety caused by this situation.

The water supply system is critical infrastructure that affects the wellbeing of all residents.  We need a sustainable and equitable solution that doesn’t impose such heavy financial burdens on individuals and families.

We urge the provincial government to immediately provide a promise of funding the repairs. While we understand the need for fiscal sustainability, it should have started when the province took control of the utility 36 years ago.  The current funding scheme punishes current residents for the historical decisions of others, and disproportionately impacts residents on fixed incomes.

The province has had full control of the utility for almost 4 decades.  It bears responsibility for the current condition of the infrastructure. It is morally obliged to invest in repairing Sage Mesa’s water supply system without exploiting its residents.

Please join me in calling on our provincial leaders to act responsibly and fairly. Sign this petition to demand that our government support us in maintaining a healthy and thriving community without jeopardizing our homes. Together, we can urge them to make the right decision for every resident of Sage Mesa.


More information is available in this Castanet Article.
RDOS Landing Page Sage Mesa Water System Acquisition Assessment