A St. Marys company has been awarded the job of constructing a new Lake Huron intake pipeline to the Petrolia Water Treatment Plant in Bright's Grove.
The Town of Petrolia accepted a bid of just over $14 million from Stone Town Construction Limited recently.
Director of Operations Mike Thompson said they've been happy with other work the company has completed for the town.
"Stone Town did our wastewater treatment plant - a $24 million dollar job - and they also did our clear well... I think that was $8 million or $9 million dollars," said Thompson. "So, every project we say, 'this is the biggest project, this is the biggest project' but it turns out it's a lot of work putting a pipe out in the lake."
Almost $12 million in infrastructure funding from the federal and provincial government was secured for the $16.2 million dollar project in April 2022.
"It's exciting for the town, but also it's going to be something to see, to say the least, getting that pipe out there," Thompson said. "So, I'm a little excited, but more nervous I guess [when it comes to the] staging and what have you. But, it's an exciting time for the Town of Petrolia and we were fortunate enough to get the grant."
CIMA+ Municipal Infrastructure Manager Stuart Winchester said the pipeline will be constructed of heavy duty black plastic.
"The pipeline that will be installed within the lake will be high density polyethylene pipe," said Winchester. "It's fairly heavy walled, but it provides enough flexibility and durability under those conditions."
Town CAO Rick Charlebois said the new intake should last about 80 years and -- excluding any new tariff costs -- the town won't need to take out a loan to pay for the rest of the job.
The new intake will extend 400 metres into the lake from the shoreline and be bridged into a new low-lift pump station, located within the water treatment plant.
A construction timeline has yet to be announced.
The original intake pipeline was installed in 1944.