Heather Wright/The Independent

Two major projects in Petrolia are moving forward.

In 2022, the town received of a $16 million grant to replace the Lake Huron water intake pipe which was installed in 1944 and is nearing the end of its life.

Monday, Petrolia council awarded the contract for the new water intake at the Brights Grove Water Treatment Plant to St. Town Construction. The company has completed two major projects at the plant over the last few years; the clearwell and the high lift pumping station project. It also built the town’s $24 million wastewater treatment plant.

“Turns out it’s a lot of work putting a pipe out in the lake,” said Director of Operations Mike Thompson.

“It takes a little while to get things going, to say the least … it’s exciting for the town, but also it’s going to be something to see, to say the least, getting that pipe out there. So I’m a little excited, but more nervous,” he told council.

Stone Town’s bid for the project was in line with what engineer suggested, around $14 million. There is a $1.5 million ‘contingency’ built into the budget as well.

The town will now draw up an agreement for the project. It’s not clear when construction will start.

Meantime, the town received word it will get a Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund grant to help bring water to the south east end of Petrolia. 

“This project is key to enabling new housing and commercial development in our east end,” wrote CAO Rick Charlebois in a report to council.

A new watermain will be built along Petrolia Line from the bridge at Bridgeview Park to Oil Heritage Road and then south along Oil Heritage.

A grant contract has to be approved by council and Charlebois says it will take several years to complete the work with the pipeline completed by 2028.