A sod-turning ceremony was held on May 20 in Thunder Bay to officially launch construction of a new $48-million Bare Point Water Treatment Plant.
Highlights of the project, which will be funded by the water rate, include boosting the plant’s capacity to 25 million gallons per day and adding a larger South Side reservoir to hold more treated water to improve fire protection and public safety for the entire city. New processes will significantly reduce the use of chemicals and reduce corrosion of metals in the distribution and plumbing systems, said Doug Scott, manager of engineering for the city.
“The expanded plant will be a state-of-the-art system, assuring our citizens and businesses have a safe and reliable water supply, which will meet any new standards imposed by the Ministry of Environment for many years to come,” said Scott.
Work on the Bare Point plant is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
Bare Point Water Treatment Plant, on the shores of Lake Superior, is located on the outskirts of the city off Lakeshore Drive.
“This is a big day for the citizens of Thunder Bay,” said Mayor Lynn Peterson during the sod-turning ceremony. “Good, clean, safe drinking water is a high priority for this municipality and municipalities as a whole. The start of this project also clearly signals we are moving forward with the key infrastructure crucial to our community’s future success.”
