The Independent

Politicians from Central Lambton marked the construction of the $16.2 million water intake at the Town of Petrolia’s water treatment station in Bright’s Grove Friday.

The town’s facility has served the community since 1896 when a water pipe water was built from Lake Huron to the town during the oil boom.

The line which brings water into the treatment facility before it heads down the line to Petrolia is one of the last items to be upgraded at the plant. And it is a two year job.

Petrolia’s Chief Administrator Officer, Rick Charlebois, says construction began at the site in May and the actual placement of the pipe in Lake Huron won’t be complete until next year.

Charlebois says the pipe will come in two large pieces, then will be loaded onto a barge. Workers will weld it together out on the lake and then place the pipe in the water. As it fills with water, it moves to the bottom of the lake where divers help place it.

That’s not expected to happen until next summer.

Friday, politicians from Petrolia, Oil Springs, Enniskillen and Dawn-Euphemia, marked the construction at the Bright’s Grove site. Petrolia owns the system, the other communities are water customers. Oil Springs, Enniskillen and Dawn-Euphemia lent their support to the project to obtain more funding.

“Of all the critical infrastructure items in a municipality, access to safe drinking water is the absolute, single most important component to a healthy community,” said Mayor Brad Loosley.