Selling Water

In our news they have talked a lot lately about a proposed P3 project to build another water treatment facility (basically where the government partners with a private company to build something), what caught my eye in a document that was published by the local government after a recent public debate at city hall was what they didn’t say in response to a couple of questions  from the public not what they said. The questions and responses below are unedited from the original document and a link at the foot of the page provides access to the full document should you wish to read that.

The first question  I noted was:

Suggested that under NAFTA, water is a commodity and that a P3

contractor could export to the US.

Response –

The Stave Lake water system will always be publicly owned. The

water will be treated for the residents of Abbotsford and Mission, as directed by

the AMWSC. At no time will the private operator ever own the rights to the water.

The private partner would only have the rights that the AMWSC grants under the

contract and the AMWSC would not grant a right to sell water.

For more information, the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships has

prepared a guidance document for municipalities called, “Public-Private

Partnerships and Trade Agreements Guidance for Municipalities”

(www.pppcouncil.ca/bookstore/bookstore-guidance-and-position-papers/118-

freetrade.html).

My interpretation, this suggests that no water will be sold, however it doesn’t say that, then comes the next question which really makes me think there could be more going on here than meets the eye.

The next question:

What will the Private Company do with surplus water? City will only use

10% of water; what will the private company do with the rest?

Response –

The water licence will belong to the City of Abbotsford and the

District of Mission through the AMWSC. The water would be the AMWSC’s to

use as it sees fit. The AMWSC could choose to sell excess water to neighbouring

municipalities such as Langley or Maple Ridge. However, the contractor would

have no ability to control or sell the water.

Here was the “I get it moment for me” the city is planning to sell the other 90% of capacity it won’t be using themselves, they may sell it to neighbouring cities, but they could also sell it to the US under NAFTA. 

This is what it is all about, by building this facility the government can make money from the water, it will control it and it will have another revenue stream, only time will tell if my thoughts are right, what do you think? Will you vote in the upcoming referendum to allow the city to borrow the $284 million required for this project? It seems that water is becoming as valuable an asset as gold or oil...

Here is the full link to the document referenced above "link"