By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
In response to concerns from frustrated users having to wait behind hydrovac trucks, the RM of Corman Park is investigating options to potentially reduce the long wait times at the fill station west of Warman.
During their January 28 meeting, councillors passed a motion directing administration to bring back a report on options for differentiating between residential users and commercial users, and whether the amount of water dispensed at a certain time can be controlled.
The issue was originally brought up at the January 14 public works committee meeting by Division 6 Councillor Steven Balzer, who was contacted by a ratepayer “frustrated with the long wait times at the Warman water station” located at the intersection of Township Road 390 and Range Road 3052.
Balzer said the ratepayer was concerned about the number of hydrovac trucks lining up at the station and filling up large vessels with water while he had to wait.
Director of public works Hayder Lateef said that historically this and other water stations within the RM used to be coin-operated, allowing anyone to fill up with as much water as they wanted provided they paid.
Currently, water keys can be purchased at the RM office in Saskatoon during regular business hours.
“Currently these are fob-operated, so anyone could come in to the RM and create a water fob, charge it with money and then go use it at the fill station,” said Lateef.
“As of right now, there are no restrictions on who can use the fill stations and the rate is the same for everyone.”
Lateef noted it is potable water available at the station, but there is a disclaimer at the water station and on the RM’s website that the hose is not sanitized after every use.
At the January 28 meeting, Division 1 Councilllor John Germs asked how the RM would define a commercial user versus a residential user.
Administration indicated that there was no current definition and one of the things this report will look at is whether the electronic system at the water station can differentiate between users.