Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

NEW CARLISLE – After five years of efforts, a memorandum of understanding between New Carlisle and Paspebiac for their drinking water supply was finalized. 

This agreement opened the door to an increase in government assistance, easing the financial burden on the two municipalities, each of which had various tasks to complete to keep their water systems up to date. 

“After several studies on solutions, whether it be a green sand filtration system, the production capacity of the Town of Paspébiac, the distribution and supply capacity between the two municipalities together to supply both systems and once the study was presented that mentioned sharing the network, a protocol was developed that took a year and we arrived with a great agreement,” says New Carlisle Mayor David Thibault. 

The protocol outlines the roles and responsibilities in terms of infrastructure, production costs and billing. 

The mayor of New Carlisle sees three advan tages for both municipalities. “On the west side of Paspebiac, there was a little lack of However, New Carlisle faces a challenge with the new school that is currently under construction. While the water and sewer network was connected in the summer of 2024, it lacks the pressure needed to supply the school’s sprinklers. 

“The urgency to act is that during the winter, we will work on the plans and specifications for the reservoir in the centre of the municipality which will compensate for the lack of pressure for the sprinkler network. Subsequently, it ensures the technological update for the distribution of the Paspebiac network, which is 30 or 40 years old, because the two networks of Paspebiac and New Carlisle must talk to each other,” notes Mr. Thibault, who is also a firefighter. 

In 2022, the project was estimated at $10 million. 

“At 90%, there will be $1 million left over 30 years. It is not a large amount, but the result will be extraordinary for both sides,” calculates the mayor. 

New Carlisle had a problem with the aesthetics of the water, which turned brown, caused by a chemical reaction between manganese and chlorine. The issue, however, had no impact on the health of the population. 

The project still requires approval from the Quebec government, but with the new school project at stake, there is an urgent need to move forward quickly. 

“The issue of the delay will be approval for the PRIMEAU program. During the winter, the Eastern Shores School Board will put pressure on the Ministry of Education, and us with our local MNA (Member of the National Assembly) to move forward as quickly as possible. If we get an OK this winter, we will make the plans and specifications for construction in the summer of 2025 for commissioning in the fall for the opening of the school in 2026. That is our schedule. It is a response to the delay of civil servants. We want to reach the finish line at the same time,” says the mayor. pressure. During a fire or a breakdown past the Tim Horton’s, it lacked pressure. The planned New Carlisle reservoir will be able to supply the west side of Paspebiac. By combining the infrastructures, rather than 65%, we could get 90% or 95% of subsidies to update the Paspebiac distribution network and the New Carlisle reservoir. It’s a win-win for both municipalities,” says Mr. Thibault.