The tender is going out soon to hire a contractor to undertake the rehabilitation of the fire-damage Wheatley Water Treatment Plant, but the work is not expected to be completed for another year
The tender is going out soon to hire a contractor to undertake the rehabilitation of the fire-damaged Wheatley Water Treatment Plant, but the work is not expected to be completed for another year.
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Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission general manager Darren Galbraith told commissioners the tender is going out Aug. 12 and will close on Aug. 26 to repair the plant following a fire on Sept. 13, 2023.
“It’s anticipated that the plant will be operational next August, so we’re still a year away,” he said during Thursday’s monthly PUC meeting.
Meanwhile, Galbraith said temporary water treatment system that is utilizing two water treatment trailers, along with the additional support from South Kent Water Treatment Plant has been able to maintain the water demands in Wheatley and Tilbury.
“The temporary water treatment trailers are rated for eight million liters per day. Over this past week, on average, the trailers have produced 5.28 million liters per day, which is 66 per cent of their rated capacity.”
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The present pressure in the Wheatley water distribution system is 65 psi, when the elevated tank is full, Galbraith said.
When pumping water from the reservoir to the elevated tank the system pressure goes to 70 psi.
Commissioner Lauren Anderson asked if the water pressure is back to where it typically was prior to the fire.
“Correct,” Galbraith said.
Leamington’s water distribution interconnections to the Wheatley plant are presently closed, he told commissioners
While he noted the wetter than normal weather has helped reduce water demand, Galbraith said the PUC is paying “close attention to the water demands as we are approaching the need for more water due to the needs of the local food processors in the coming months. ”
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If the system needs a boost, Galbraith said Leamington is willing to assist.
The water system serves approximately 8,500 residents in Wheatley and Tilbury.
In addition to the cost of repairing the water treatment plant, the PUC will be covering the increase in insurance premiums the Municipality of Chatham-Kent has incurred due to the fire.
The PUC will be paying the extra $351,242 in premiums from its budget for 2025 to 2027.
Galbraith said he thought it was best the premium increase come from the PUC’s budget, “since it is directly related to the PUC versus being put on all taxpayers.”
The increased insurance premium cost will be paid through the rates.
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