Hazardous sewage lagoon costly for residents

Some residents of Miltonvale Park are facing huge increases in sewer bills after their current system was labeled an environmental hazard by the P.E.I. government.

Residents of the mobile home subdivision Meadowvale Park met Tuesday night to discuss their options.

Fixing the lagoon would cost owner Arnold MacRae about $1 million. As another option, three levels of government have offered to pitch in to help hook the area up to Charlottetown's sewer system.

The governments would pay $2.1 million, and MacRae would pay another $250,000 to connect his infrastructure. Resident Kevin Trainor was told even with that less expensive option his water bill would go up $70 a month.

"I feel handcuffed, and held hostage," said Trainor, who has lived in the Meadowvale Park for five years.

"If the owners 10 years ago had have known that this was a possibility then they could have increased it over the last 10 years or bought an insurance plan."

More than 100 people came to the meeting to find out about the proposed sewer changes. Area MLA Bush Dumville was at the meeting, and said while higher costs are unfortunate changes are necessary. "Nobody wants to see the costs increase, but they're coming into the modern age," said Dumville.

"They're going to have safety, assured water supply. Our river down below is going to be protected." Residents will vote on the proposals on Monday. MacRae was at the meeting but did not want to comment.