SMWS - what happens if the referendum fails?

Thank you to those who attended the community meeting on September 10th. I have been asked a few times what will happen if the referendum fails, and here is my answer:

If the referendum fails (with no vote), then the RDOS is no longer part of the SMWS acquisition discussion. From an email from James Mack (who was online at the community meeting).

“Water utilities finance improvements through charges to rate payers.  Should the users choose to stay with the current model the only financial option available to them is rate increases and special levies on the users”.

Al Aderichin, P. Eng., Head of Water Utilities Engineering, Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, touched on this during his presentation at the June community meeting.

Knowing that there is critical work that needs to begin on the system, I have asked James Mack, ADM WLRS, to provide the Province's plan for ratepayers in the event the referendum fails (levies, fees, timeline, etc.). I am not sure how the Province will share this information with ratepayers, but if/once I hear more from the Ministry, I will let citizens know.

Thank you