Skip to content

Prince Rupert business refuses to pay taxes until water fixed

Some customers put off by poor water quality
26656817_web1_211007-PRU-safe-water-no-taxes-water_1
Owners of Hasami Hair Studio, Jason and Natsu Eleuterio, declared on Sept. 28, they are no longer paying taxes in protest of the reoccurring water advisories in the city. (Photo: Norman Galimski/The Northern View)

A Prince Rupert business is refusing to pay taxes until the city’s tap water is “safe”, and placed a sign in the front window publically stating the declaration on Sept. 28.

At Hasami Hair Studio, some customers have said they do not want their hair washed because of the boil water advisory the municipality issued on Sept. 21, Jason Eleuterio, co-owner of the hair studio, told The Northern View.

“If you notice, it’s kind of ‘slicky’, like greasy to touch,” Eleuterio said.

The water problems in the city go back more than three years, he said. Now, for the first time in his life, people are buying bottled water, yet they still have to pay the same utility bills.

“The water is not drinkable,” he said. “What’s wrong with this government? How come nothing gets fixed?”

“That’s why we’re just saying no to taxes now because they’re not taking care of the people.”

The City of Prince Rupert is working diligently to get the water supply “up to snuff,” Barry Cunningham, city councillor, told The Northern View on Oct. 1.

“The dam will be finished by the end of the year at which time we will be returning to our primary water source, which is Woodward Lake,” Cunningham said.

The engineering diagrams are currently being worked on for the water treatment plant. The construction of the plant should be completed by 2023, Cunningham said.

READ MORE: Prince Rupert boil water notice in effect for all households and businesses


 Norman Galimski | Journalist 
Send Norman email
Like the The Northern View on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter