It’s good News for waterworks funding in town, with the recent approval of its Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program funding.
On July 12, Erin Water Superintendent Frank Smedley told councillors that the municipality’s application was successful.
He explained that the OSWAP-3 funding through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs supplies $146,065 – two-thirds funding for the three projects the town had applied for.
That leaves the remaining $73,032 in Erin’s 2011 budget.
The projects included in the application include:
– the replacement of the Hillsburgh Well 3 [Glendevon] high lift pump;
– the replacement of approximately 100 metres of cast iron water main on Orangeville Street in Hillsburg. Smedley noted that section of pipe has been prone to numerous breakages over the past few years;
– the repair upgrades to the polyethylene water main that crosses the Credit River on Dundas Street in Erin. The work also includes and additional valve.
Smedley noted that the work on the Hillsburg high lift pump will be completed as soon as possible as all the approvals are in place.
Approvals for the other two projects are anticipated in 2011 with work to be completed in 2012.
As to the Credit River crossing in Erin, Smedley said there have been two water main breaks there in the middle of the night.
“In the middle of the night, it’s a little hard when you’re in the middle of the swamp it’s difficult to do the best repair possible.”
That is why a little more time is needed at that location to do the job right, Smedley said.
He added that installation of a water valve on the west side of the river crossing provides more flexibility, if there are problems in the future at that location.
The intent is to complete the work on Well 3 this year with the other two projects to be completed in 2012.
“This funding came along at the perfect time,” Smedley added.
“The Glendevon pump was something we had to do.”
