By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Bashaw Star
After meeting with a representative, the Town of Bashaw council has tentatively agreed to partner with Service Line Warranties of Canada.
Service Line Warranties is a subsidiary of a company that started in the United Kingdom in the 1990s and has since expanded to North American operations. Currently the Canadian arm of the business has partnered with 67 municipalities, primarily in Ontario, and none to date in Alberta.
The company offers plumbing related water and sewer contracts.
“When and if (the customer) has an issue, we provide a local contractor to make the repair, and have them send the bill to us,” said Jeff Olsen, a representative from the business who presented to council.
“We’re trying to provide peace of mind, with no deductible.”
The business provides three different products to its subscribers.
The first, for $6 a month, covers the homeowners’ water line. The second, costing $8 a month, covers all work related to a property’s sewer line, between the house and the town’s line. The third product, for $8.75 a month, covers most matters of a home’s internal plumbing.
A property owner has the option of purchasing one, two, or all three options, and the products will cover property owner costs related to frozen or broken lines, up to and including the complete replacement of a service or sewer line if the plumber deems it necessary.
“There is no cost to the town for this, and we’re not putting the town at risk with this,” said Mayor Penny Shantz.
“Personally, I think it’s a great idea.”
With tentative approval for the partnership granted, Chief Administrative Officer Theresa Fuller will work with the business to develop a letter introducing the service to the community.
The letter will include an educational component, reminding residents that line breaks or freezes on a resident’s property are the homeowner’s issue.
“From an operational standpoint, I like the education component,” said Fuller.
“Service lines are a homeowner issue. “