Dozens of Richmond residents stormed a high school last night to raise a stink over a proposed sewage pipeline that would cut through their community and endanger their precious water supply.

In June, city council approved a $7-million pipeline option that will dispose of Munster Hamlet's sewage at Ottawa's treatment plant via a pipeline to the Richmond pumping station.

Last night's city-sponsored open house, documenting the pipeline's path to Richmond -- and the possible routes through it -- provided a meeting ground for many of those who want the project stopped.

"Why should we have other people's (sewage) pumped under our village when it could be taken care of at the source -- especially when we have wells?" asked Gary Thompson, a former city employee who's lived in Richmond for 33 years.

"If there's a problem in Munster, take care of it in Munster. They're just passing a problem from one community to the other. It's just so maddening."

Many of the distraught residents took turns venting their frustrations on ward Councillor Janet Stavinga, who could barely escape long enough to grab a drink of water. At one point, about a dozen people formed a semi-circle around her, demanding answers as to why the project should go through.

Ted Brown, president of the Richmond Village Association, was one of a few dozen people on Ms. Stavinga's coat-tails last night.

"My biggest fear is that when they put a pipeline in, it doesn't matter how good it is -- it will break," he said. "It's going through an area with shallow wells. We prefer the on-site treatment."

The pipeline was one of three options for dealing with Munster's sewage. The other two proposals involved on-site treatment in Munster, but were ultimately rejected by the city even after consultants originally recommended the on-site options.

The city, however, still hasn't chosen a route through the town connecting the line to the Richmond pumping station. Six separate routing options were last night plastered on large placards, along with possible piping alternatives, including pressurized and gravity flow.

Ms. Stavinga said she understands the residents' concerns, but argued the city still needs to fulfill its duties as a utility provider.

"It's not an issue about who benefits," she said, away from the demanding crowd. "We're responding to the needs of waste treatment."

But convincing Richmond residents to accept the city's plan won't be easy, especially when senior municipal officials admit there's no benefit to the community.

"It's not a benefit necessarily to Richmond, but it's a part of being associated with an urban environment," said Richard Hewitt, the city's director of infrastructure services.

Construction of the pipeline is expected to begin next spring, with it operating by early to mid 2005.