St. John's sewage dispute backs up on council floor

Municipal leaders in the St. John's region are at odds over picking up the tab of massive cost overruns for a new sewage treatment plant.

The treatment plant now being built at St. John's Harbour is already nearly $20 million over the $93-million budget set seven years ago.

Rising material and labour costs are likely to drive that figure higher.

St. John's city hall has asked the federal and provincial governments, the City of Mount Pearl and the Town of Paradise for extra money.

However, Mount Pearl Coun. Ed Granttold CBC Newshis council will not pay anything extra.

"We don't have an open chequebook," Grant said.

"Our position is clear. The amount is defined— and we'll pay that."

Paradise Mayor Ralph Wiseman, however, does not have a problem with a larger bill.

"I understand, I guess, where they're coming from," said Wiseman, adding he felt St. John's city hall had no control over rising costs.

The extra bill for Paradise, though, will be about $20,000, while the cost-sharing formula dictates that Mount Pearl's share will be several million dollars.

Grant said Mount Pearl maintains that St. John's is responsible for cost overruns.

St. John's Mayor Andy Wells said Mount Pearl councillors are blowing hot air. Wells said if Mount Pearl does not kick in extra funds, its residents will not be able to use the plant.

Sewage has been flowing untreated into St. John's Harbour for decades. A campaign to clean up the harbour took years to come to a design that includes a state-of-the-art treatment plant being built on the south side of the harbour.

The system is expected to be completed in a year.