Five questions raised over Lower Beverley Lake Park sewage systems
DELTA — Rideau Lakes council will ask the Lower Beverley Lake Park board to revisit whether blue barrel sewage systems should be included in the engineering scope of work tied to the park’s regulatory compliance requirements.
The motion, brought forward by Coun. Paula Banks at the April 27 committee of the whole meeting, followed a lengthy and at times procedural debate over the park’s sewage infrastructure, requirements from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and what information has been shared with council.
The original motion called for a full project timeline, cost estimate, financial plan, borrowing capacity and monthly updates. Those financial components were removed after Deputy Mayor Sue Dunfield asked Banks whether she would consider narrowing the focus to the blue barrel systems.
Banks agreed but said she would revisit the financial component if the park board requires township support.
The amended motion asks the park board to revisit whether the blue barrel systems should be included in the engineering scope of work tied to compliance.
It also directs township staff and the chief administrative officer, in co-ordination with ministry staff, to report back publicly on several key questions.
Council wants answers on five points:
- What was known in 2022;
- What actions were taken by the township and the ministry;
- Why no action was taken on complaints raised in 2022 and 2025;
- Why the systems were not included in the 2022 inspection record or approval framework; and,
- Why they are not included in the current scope of work required for compliance by 2027.
What are the blue barrel systems?
The blue barrel systems refer to holding tanks used to store sewage from trailers and campsites at the park.
Unlike a traditional septic system, which treats wastewater on site, holding tanks temporarily store waste and must be pumped out and disposed of at an approved facility.
The systems have drawn scrutiny because they were not included in earlier approvals under the park’s Environmental Compliance Approval issued by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
During council discussion, members referenced correspondence indicating that secondary holding tanks require ministry approval and must meet specific standards for installation, capacity and monitoring.
The issue is expected to be reviewed as part of ongoing engineering work tied to the park’s February 2027 compliance deadline.
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom said the motion was premature and should be handled by the Lower Beverley Lake Park board, which was scheduled to meet this week.
“I know that the Lower Beverley Lake Park board has been dealing with all of these issues, and I feel that for us to pass this type of motion would be insulting to the board,” Hoogenboom said.
The mayor also disputed the estimated cost figures of $1 million to $1.5 million referenced in the original motion was for a large centralized septic system that had not been approved. He said the blue barrel issue had already been addressed by the ministry.
Coun. Dustin Bulloch said the matter should remain with the park board, noting that engineering work is already underway.
“I personally don’t see the need for this motion,” Bulloch said. “The work that we’re looking to do is already underway at the board level.”
Paula Banks disagreed, saying related emails need to be made public and arguing that council has a responsibility to protect the park.
Banks said the township may need to fund Lower Beverley Lake Park because it cannot cover the costs on its own, adding that protecting the park is a priority.
Deputy Mayor Sue Dunfield said correspondence from the ministry raised questions about whether the systems had received proper approval.
“That statement means, to me, what is in the ground now has not received their approval,” Dunfield said, referring to ministry correspondence about secondary holding tanks.
Coun. Deborah Anne Hutchings said they need a clear answer.“Either the blue barrels are compliant or they’re not,” Hutchings said. “It can’t be both.”
A motion to defer the matter was defeated.
The amended motion later passed in a recorded vote with councillors Paula Banks, Linda Carr, Hutchings, Dunfield and Jeff Banks voting in favour. Bulloch, Marcia Maxwell, Ron Pollard and Hoogenboom voted against.
A second motion from Banks seeking a records review and disclosure of correspondence related to Lower Beverley Lake Park was later withdrawn after concerns were raised about its scope.
The motion called for records involving current and past council members, township employees, park board members and ministry staff.
Clerk Mary Ellen Truelove cautioned that the request, as written, would require a review similar to a freedom of information request, including email searches and redactions of personal information, and would take more than a month to complete.
Banks said she was not seeking a broad request and could narrow it to specific dates and individuals, but said she had been advised not to name people in the motion.
After discussion, she agreed to withdraw the motion and bring back a revised version at a future meeting.
The committee carried a motion to withdraw it.
Related news
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- Lower Beverley Lake Park service delivery report points to revenue opportunities
- Council receives Lower Beverley Lake Park compliance report, delays decision on campground licensing
- Park board approves targeted septic upgrades
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