Journal Staff
The local water treatment plant is getting one of its biggest capital upgrades in years.
Nearly $7 million is being spent to replace the emergency standby power system, says general manager Clinton Harper.
“It’s substantial for us and replaces four original one-megawatt diesel generators that were installed when the plant was built in the ‘70s,” he said.
The original backup generators are “six generations obsolete” but have done the job during power interruptions, which occur about once a month, Harper said.
A new main switchgear is being installed along with three 1.5-megawatt diesel generators at the Fort Street plant overlooking Lake Huron.
The project includes a major upgrade to the existing fuel storage and supply system, Harper said.
The installation job was awarded last fall to JMR Electric of Exeter for $2.8 million.
Overall, the project engineering design and management is costing $6.8 million.
That cost is shared by water users in the six municipalities that comprise the Lambton Area Water Supply System (LAWSS). They include Sarnia, Point Edward, St. Clair Township, Plympton-Wyoming, Warwick Township and Lambton Shores.
Harper said construction should be complete by April.