The Independent

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, MP Marilyn Gladu, Mayor Jeff Agar, Deputy Mayor Steve Miller and Councillor Pat Brown were on hand with staff members John Rodey and Brian Black as the $48.7 million upgrade of the Courtright wastewater treatment plant began.

Officials expect the expansion of the plant to serve up to 650 new homes and industry will begin later this month. But it will take longer than originally anticipated.

St. Clair Township council agreed to build the plant in three phases, with the second and third phase beginning when more capacity was required.

The decision was made after the estimate price of the facility skyrocketed as the engineering work was being completed. That caused the township to look at ways to reduce the cost. Black, director of public works, says the province provided over $33 million for the project and the township is applying for federal funding now as well through the Building Communities Strong Fund.

Only the first phase of the project will be completed by 2028, he said, adding Aerobic Digester portion of the project will be completed as well. It’s not clear how much the second and third phase will cost.