Journal Staff
Sarnia is confronting a new and previously unbudgeted expense for taxpayers – stormwater management ponds.
City council has approved an $880,000 contract to remove sediment from the long, narrow pond at the Suncor Nature Way at Modeland Road.
Stormwater ponds gather runoff from nearby properties to reduce pressure on sewer systems and have been required for new subdivision since the 1990s.
But there has been no corresponding increase in property taxes or wastewater rates to fund their maintenance, city staff say.
Sarnia has eight ponds, four of which have reached the point they require sediment removal.
The Suncor Nature way pond was identified as the most pressing priority and will be remediated soon, with the others to follow in future budget years, staff say.