Water on the agenda at utility and infrastructure meeting today

By Medicine Hat News on April 6, 2023.

More information is expected to be presented this afternoon on the use of asbestos concrete pipes in Medicine Hat’s drinking supply system.

Members of council’s utility and infrastructure committee tell the News they expect the issue to be discussed at today’s regular meeting of the committee.

The type of pipe, composed of asbestos mixed with concrete as a strengthening agent, has come under new scrutiny as national media reports suggest the cancer-causing material could leach into household water supply over time.

About 139 kilometres of the style of pipe was laid in Medicine Hat between 1960 and the early 1980s. It comprises about one third of the current potable water distribution system.

Asbestos is well known as a carcinogen when inhaled. Its use in building materials was phased out decades ago.

Health Canada does not currently provide guidelines regarding limits of consumption of the substance.

Committee makeup

The makeup of council’s committee overseeing the utility and infrastructure departments is changing, with Coun. Darren Hirsch joining the body in the place of Coun. Andy McGrogan.

The change was announced at Monday’s city council meeting along with notice that Mayor Linnsie Clark would represent Medicine Hat city council in an inter-municipal working group with Redcliff and Cypress County, replacing former member Coun. Robert Dumanowski.

Hirsch told the News he is excited to add the assignment to his duties (he also chairs the audit committee and the municipal planning commission).

“It’s kind of my bailiwick, and it’s a critical period for our (utility) business units,” said Hirsch, a commercial banker in his private career.

Hirsch is serving his third term as a council member, and was one of only two who returned to council after the 2021 election.

Dumanowski, another council veteran, said the change on inter-municipal committee wasn’t disagreeable. He sits on the utility and infrastructure committee and chairs the corporate services committee.

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