The cement is already hardening on Petrolia’s new waste water treatment plant.

The town officially kicked of construction of the $21 million plant Friday even as workers from Stone Town Contracting were preparing the footings for the new plant behind them.

The project has been a long time in the making. Town officials knew a new plant would be necessary and started planning for it seven years ago.

MPP Bob Bailey cornered the Minister of Infrastructure Brad Duguid at the Plowing Match last year to tell him the federal government was willing to contribute $7 million to the project and it was time for the province to come to the table.

After a meeting between Duguid and town officials including Mayor John McCharles the deal was sealed.

“It is really great to see what can happen when all levels of government come together,” Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu told the crowd gathered near the plant. “It is great to see this plant will improve the growth of Petrolia.”

Mayor John McCharles says this is the largest project ever built in the town, adding with the pre construction costs the plant will cost about $25 million – $7 million which will come from local sewage rates.

“To get $14 million from upper levels of government is almost unheard of in this day and age,” he says. “MPP Bob Baily and former MP Pat Davidson really stepped up to the plate and we are very, very fortunate.”

Tom Montgomery of CIMA+ says the project is well underway already. “I’m really surprised we’ve moved ahead so much this year already.”

Construction is expected to be complete in 2017 with the plant going on line shortly after it is done.