PORT HOOD: The Municipality of the County of Inverness is prioritizing the construction of a new water production well to address the declining performance of an aging and critical piece of infrastructure.
After decades of service, one of the community’s key wells – referred to as PW1 – is nearing the end of its functional life, municipal staff reported during a council meeting held on May 8.
“It is critical to the communities’ water system, which serves residential, commercial and essential institutions. Including hospital, long-term care facilities and schools,” Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Inverness Melanie Beaton said.
Beaton noted that two water treatment plants currently service the area. While one is operating within expectations, the other is approaching capacity limitations. This is largely due to reduced yield and deteriorating infrastructure at the aging PW1 well.
“Because the casing is in very bad condition. It’s just the age of the well,” Beaton told council. The well is now producing only 40 gallons per minute, and she emphasized that the yield has been “reducing at that well at a pretty significant rate.”
In response, the municipality is collaborating with hydrogeologists on plans to drill a new replacement well in the same area, where water availability has already been confirmed.
“If successful this is one of the most cost-effective ways for us to supplement our yield,” Beaton explained. “Because it’s already connected to treatment, so there wouldn’t be significant piping or connections.
The proposed project includes drilling a new well, installing casing and screens, conducting pump testing, and decommissioning the existing well. The total cost is estimated at $283,762, with the municipality requesting that half be covered by the Provincial Capital Assistance Program. The remainder would be funded by the municipality.
Council voted to classify the project as a priority for the current fiscal year and approved a motion to move forward with the funding application.
Councillor Catherine Gillis praised municipal staff for advancing the project, noting she was “pleased they are proceeding.” Councillor Lynn Chisholm added: “It’s critical that we have this water,” and thanked the deputy CAO for the update.