The city of Saint-Tite finds itself facing a very unpleasant surprise, as the costs of bringing its drinking water supply system up to standard are skyrocketing.
The city had estimated that it would get away with $18 million. However, the only two bids received are around 28 million, therefore $10 million more.
“I am very surprised and not in a good way. I fell out of my chair. Really, these are staggering costs, ”launched Mayor Annie Pronovost in a devastated tone when she learned of the prices. These infrastructure works will be the most important ever to be carried out in the City.
They plan the construction of a new water intake, a treatment plant in addition to the restoration of the reservoir and the 44-meter dam that closes it. The water is drawn from Lake Eric.
This work has been in the planning stage for ten years. The mayor believes that the drinking water supply must now be brought up to standard, while respecting the citizens’ ability to pay. At this price could the project be called into question? “In my opinion, we will have no choice but to move forward. We sent all of this to Minister Sonia Lebel.”
It should be noted that Public Health has required since 2014 that measures be taken to improve the quality of drinking water in Saint-Tite. Two neighboring villages that draw part of their water there are partners in the project. The mayor of Saint-Séverin, Gérard Vandal, has also estimated that if it is the pandemic which is responsible for this inflation it is that “the pandemic has a wide back”.