The Loch Lomond Drinking Water Treatment Facility tanks hold up to 33 million litres of clean water.
Some customers on Saint John’s west side water system can expect work on their interim water pumping station to soon be complete.
Saint John Water says it hopes to have the new system commissioned and in service sometime in February. Water Commissioner Brent McGovern says their goal is February 12th.
McGovern says the station is connected to power and water and is awaiting testing. The pipes will also have to be flushed.
The utility says team members are conducting final checks and maintenance on the transmission system that will deliver water to the pumping station.
The project connects west side residents to the newly built Loch Lomond Drinking Water Treatment Facility, a decision announced in July due to lower than expected water levels in the new South Bay Wellfield.
Six neighbourhoods will be part of the changeover: Lower West, Milford, Randolph, Fundy Heights, Duck Cove and Sand Cove.
“After we’re done with this switch-over, then we’ll go back to the west side water supply, and see how is it performing,” said Mayor Don Darling.
“It’s going to take a bit of time for that to recover to see where we are. Is this forever? We don’t know yet, but certainly, the plan is to see how the west side well water supply recovers, and we’ll have more technical discussion in 2020.”
There is a risk that the transition will affect the look, smell and taste of their water, officials say.
City staff say although both water supplies presently meet all guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, the change in mineral content between the two water supplies may be noticeable.
It will be especially noticeable for those currently on the South Bay Wellfield. Saint John Water says those customers may see small white flakes in their water due to the descaling of calcium carbonate built up in their pipes.
“It is normal,” said McGovern during Monday night’s council meeting. “The water will remain safe to drink.”
This descaling should slowly flush itself from the system as the transition proceeds.
McGovern says the change in water hardness may mean many residents won’t need to use water softeners anymore. He says they should get in contact with plumbers to have them removed.
In addition, the change in water hardness may cause an increase in soap suds when showering.
Those on the west side who will have their drinking water affected by the transition will receive ample notice in their mail ahead of the switch-over.
More information can be found online.
In 2017, the west side water system was switched from Spruce Lake to the South Bay wellfield. The controversial move led to dozens of reports of leaking pipes and a class-action lawsuit.
