Prince Edward County has awarded a $16,104,835 plus tax contract to Clearway Construction for the installation of the new planned Wellington Watermain Trunk during Wednesday’s council meeting.
Clearway Construction was the lowest bidder for the project. Six companies bid on the project.
The total water portion of the project is over budget by $2,705,540, so additional funding was approved by council through long-term debt to make up the difference. To pay for this portion, 82% ($2,218,543) of funds will come from development fees while 18% ($486,997) will come from water user rates.
The new trunk watermain is needed to both increase water pressure for existing customers and to accommodate new developments in the Wellington and Wellington on the Lake communities. The watermain is also needed to fully connect to and utilize the new Water Tower and Equalization Tank.
The awarding of tender for the project sparked vigorous debate in council chambers after several comments from the audience in opposition to expanding the water infrastructure in Wellington. The main concern was that developers wouldn’t develop and end up saddling water system ratepayers with the cost of construction.
Councillor Bill Roberts was in favour of awarding the tender despite the negative public feedback.
“To have invested in a new and modern water tower and not hook it up doesn’t make a lot of sense to me,” said Councillor Roberts. “It’s a bit like building a neat new electric vehicle and not putting a battery or charger in it.”
Councillor Chris Braney said that the current water infrastructure plans should be looked at again, and that proceeding with them could burden the municipality and its residents with excessive debt.
“I can understand why some of my council colleagues would have supported this water line infrastructure when our economy and development growth was booming,” said Councillor Braney. “However, we are now on the cusp of a concerning turn in our financial climate with inflation, high interest rates, and a halt on development.”
An amendment was proposed by Councillor John Hirsch to have the master servicing Plan Development Charges, background study, and growth forecast project scope and financing be reviewed, to update cost estimates since the original studies were done in 2021 before tenders would be put out for upcoming construction of water and wastewater plants. The amendment failed.
A second amendment by Councillor Kate MacNaughton was proposed and passed, to have the environmental restoration plan for the Millennium Trail be reviewed by the Environmental Advisory Committee prior to approval, as the construction would disrupt existing green spaces.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2024 and be completed in the spring of 2025.
