Mayor Mel Norton is calling it an historic day for Saint John with the city moving ahead with clean water. Norton calling it the largestinfrastructure project ever undertaken by any city in the province.
Common Council has voted unanimously to choose Port City Water Partners, a yet to be formed consortium of companies, to build and operate the water treatment plant for 30 years after it’s finished in November of 2018.
A finalised agreement is expected by February after which design and construction will start. 26 or 27 kilometers of pipe throughout the city will have to be replaced or rehabilitated as part of the project.
Water Commissioner Bill Edwards making it clear the city will retain control of water and water rates. Edwards says the city is basically hiring a company to operate the water system and the oversight will be greater than if the city were doing the work itself and no city employees will be losing their jobs.
Once completed, Edwards says the difference in water quality will be like between night and day.
Common Council was told the city will only pay when the work is done and certified with payment linked to performance. Councillors also hearing from Edwards than local contractors will be working on the project.
