AMHERST – Water pressure should never again be a problem for Amherst residents.
Amherst Mayor David Kogon joined with other community leaders and project supporters Monday to clink glasses full of water to officially commission the town’s new water reservoir.
“Amherst is known for having the best water east of the Rockies and now we have a bountiful supply. The previous reservoir was 43 years old and had reached the end of its lifespan and a major project had to be undertaken to replace it,” the mayor said. “It certainly was a very costly venture and it could not have been done without the collaborative efforts and financial efforts of the provincial and federal governments.”
The new reservoir has increased water pressure in areas of the town that previously experienced low water pressure, while also improving the fire flows throughout the town.
The mayor says the two new tanks (both about 70 feet high) will ensure Amherst has adequate water storage another 40 years or more.
The mayor noted the $5.5-million project couldn’t have been accomplished without support from the joint federal-provincial Clean Water and Wastewater Fund provided 75 per cent of the funding.
Kogon said the federal government provided 50 per cent of the funding with the province and the town supplying 25 per cent each.
“Without this strategic investment in the town’s infrastructure by these senior levels of government, this project would not have been undertaken,” Kogon said.
Cumberland-Colchester MP Bill Casey said modern and reliable water treatment infrastructure is essential to maintaining a clean environment and a livable community.
“The Government of Canada is proud to support improvements to the Amherst reservoir and storage tank, providing residents of Amherst with better water pressure and reliable municipal services for years to come,” Casey said in an email.
Municipal Affairs Minister Chuck Porter said in an email that municipal infrastructure, like water and wastewater systems, are critical to the health and safety of Nova Scotians and to the economic development in our communities.
The project was approved by Amherst town council in June 2017 and work began two months later.
The new reservoir features two porcelain-lined steel tanks that stand 15 metres higher than the concrete tank they replaced. Combined, the new tanks hold 13 million litres of water, the same amount as the old tank held.
The height of the new tanks also enabled the town to improve water levels in the higher elevations of the community.
The project also included the installation of four pressure reducing valve chambers in four strategic locations – MacDonald Road, Robert Angus Drive and Willow and Church streets – as well as modifications to the pumps at the Tyndal wellfield.
The new reservoir was designed by CBCL Ltd., the project’s main contractor was Amherst firm Maritech Construction Inc., and major subcontractors included Beale & Inch Construction Ltd. and Greatario Engineered Storage Systems Ltd.
The second phase of the original $7.7-million project is about to start. Work includes replacing an existing undersized water main on Willow Street, which will also help to increase fire flows in Amherst’s downtown core.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
