Indians Seek Assurance of Sewage Plant

The Six Nations Indian Council wants a definite assurance that the City of Brantford will build a sewage disposal plant before the Indians grant an easement to the city to lay a sewer across Indian-owned land occupied by the Mohawk Institute.

The Indian Council met Tuesday night in Ohsweken to discuss the city's request for the easement, having adjourned from last Thursday when a delegation of city officials called on the Indian Council.

Chief Councillor James Powless said that since the Grand River flows through the reservation, the building of another sewer might present the possibility of further pollution of the stream if no disposal plant is constructed.

A tentative price for the easement has been suggested by the city but the Indian council plans to explore the prices paid for similar easements on other reservations, particularly near Sarnia, before committing itself to the city's request.

The sewer project, to run from East Ward Centre and along the western boundary of the Glebe property recently bought from the Indians, is being held up until an easement is granted, city officials pointed out.

The outfall of the sewer is proposed to be near the present outfall back of the Mohawk Chapel where the city dumps raw sewage into the Grand River. It is proposed to build the sewage disposal plant in the same area but no definite plans have been developed as yet.

Sewers must be built uphill so that seepage water and connections do not flood the area where workmen are laying the tiles. Therefore, the work would have to start in the river area, city officials pointed out.

The sewer project was approved by the City Council several months ago, the council having voted to proceed without taking the expenditure to the electors. Yet to be received is the approval of the Ontario Municipal Board.

The sewer is necessary to the development of the Glebe Land where a factory and bowling alley are already under construction, and where a secondary school, an arena and a shopping centre are to be erected. The sewer would also assist to relieving overloaded sewers in East Ward.