Petrolia has secured a $2 million grant to build its new water reservoir officials from Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey’s office have confirmed.

On Monday, council members approved a bylaw for funding from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund without announcing the grant. The 44 page document shows the town will receive $2 million of the $2.6 million cost to replace the town’s reservoir system – the largest amount possible under the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The town plans to build two, new steel water storage tanks at the site of the existing Mandaumin Reservoir on Confederation Line in Plympton-Wyoming.

The reservoir is a holding tank at the mid-way point between Petrolia and its water treatment plant in Bright’s Grove. It’s been in need of repairs for some time and has been on a list of capital projects.

In the spring, the town assessed the condition of the current reservoir. The town had hoped build one tank and refurbish the current cement holding tank, but found it would be too costly to repair the only cement reservoir left in Southern Ontario.

Instead, the town plans to build two above ground steel tanks lined with fiberglass. The tanks will be visible to the public with the town’s logo on it.

Council passed the bylaw which is the agreement without making comment about its contents. The agreement expected to be finalized by March 11.

While the province has yet to officially announce the grant, officials with MPP Bob Bailey’s office confirmed the OCIF grant to the town.

During budget deliberations, town staff indicated the town’s share of the project would likely be covered by a low-interest loan along with other $4.9 million of other water projects.