Canada’s first sewage system — 162 years old and staying public

The city of Saint John, New Brunswick, lays claim to the honour of having Canada’s first sewage system — built in 1837. In the wake of a cholera epidemic and spurred by the water needs that accompany a burgeoning city, local entrepreneurs built a piped water system that served those who could afford to pay for clean water.

The system connected the city’s affluent neighbourhoods and the business district. By the 1850s, the disparity in service had become so great that city council became a shareholder in the water company and levied taxes to help fund an expanded system. Yet this early public private partnership didn’t work. It took a second cholera epidemic in 1854 to galvanize support for a public water utility.

By the fall of that year, water distribution and policy rested with the city. Control of privies, cesspools and sewers also transferred to public hands. Within three years, an integrated and accessible system served virtually every citizen, ending two decades of inequity and public health problems.

Over 140 years later, Saint John’s sewer system remains in public hands — thanks to the vigilance of city councillors. "Our water system’s in need of a serious upgrade that will cost $63 million. Private firms see this as their opportunity to get their foot in the door," said city councillor Stephen Chase, who led the fight to beat back bids from water giants USFilter and Zenon.

Recognizing that private water treatment didn’t work before and won’t work today, city council recently voted to retain ownership and control of the city’s water supply.

"I’d rather do the fixing through public funds and public ownership," said Chase. "You don’t have that profit premium. I worry what measures a private company would take to reduce costs so they could increase profit. Water’s a precious resource and must be protected. The municipality must keep ownership and control."