Associated Engineering Ltd. has been awarded the contract for designing and consulting services for the new water treatment plant in Williams Lake.
Recently $25M in funding was announced by the federal and provincial governments and the city for the project.
In April 2019, Health Canada set a maximum acceptable concentration of manganese in drinking water at 0.12 milligrams per litre.
As Williams Lake’s levels range from 0.12 mg/L to 0.25 mg/L, the city responded immediately by issuing a water quality advisory, which remains in place.
In a written report to council, senior engineering technologist Jeff Bernardy noted a consultant is required to perform project management, design, stakeholder management, procure sub-consultants, and oversee construction and commissioning of the water treatment plant.
“An RFP was issued seeking proposals from qualified proponents to undertake this work on September 7, 2023, and a total of one proposal was received at the closing date from Associated Engineering Ltd partnering with TRUE Consulting Group,” Bernardy’s report stated.
The timeline for the project is expected to take three years, with the detailed design slated for completion by December 2024.
City council approved the $2.9M contract at the regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 7.
“This is good for Williams Lake,” said Coun. Scott Nelson. “We will have better, cleaner water for the long-term.”
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said at the meeting Tuesday he also wanted to thank Cariboo Prince George MP Todd Doherty for advocating on the city’s behalf for the federal funding.
“His name was overlooked on the day of the announcement of the funding,” Rathor said.
For the project, $9,726,750 will come from the federal government, $8,104,814 from the province, with the city contributing $6,485,311.
READ MORE: Ministers, mayor announce $24.3 million water treatment plant for Williams Lake
Don’t miss out on reading the latest local, provincial and national news offered at the Efteen. Sign up for our free newsletter here.
