Water and sewer project finally settled in Gascons
Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist
PORT-DANIEL-GASCONS: – After being on the table for two decades, the water and sewer project in the Gascons district of Port-Daniel-Gascons has finally received authorization from Quebec to begin the tendering process for the work.
“This is my fourth term as mayor of the municipality. In other words, I have been working on the water and sewer files in the Gascons sector for 16 years. As soon as the holidays are over, we will launch the tendering process,” says Mayor Henri Grenier.
In the long term, 100% of the population will be served by the water system and 75% will be served by the sewer network.
It was an obstacle course since finding the water to supply the water system was complicated. “Every time we did tests, it was never conclusive enough,” says the elected official.
In 2009, a water source was found, but further studies in 2014 revealed that it could not provide sufficient water.
The municipality has invested several million dollars into water research.
The mayor would have liked to extend the Port-Daniel water system, but the government of Quebec preferred Chandler, namely the Newport district, due to lower costs.
A first memorandum of understanding was concluded in 2018 for the work to be carried out, but costs have since skyrocketed.
“The pandemic hit and the cost of living increased. The price of materials doubled. We had to make new government representations to get the project accepted. We were listened to and our provincial MNA (Member of the National Assembly) worked hard on the file,” emphasizes Mr. Grenier.
In total, the Quebec government will subsidize 95% of the water supply, regardless of the bill, and a fixed portion of the sewers network costs, which could represent 85% of a $40 million project.
The call for tenders will be launched in January. The opening of proposals will take place in late February or early March. The mayor hopes construction will begin next summer, with the work expected to last two years.
Of the 170 easements required, 60 have been completed. “Things are going very well. People are cooperating. 80% of people consume non-potable water. It was a public health issue and it was a big point in the file,” notes the mayor.
Once the work is done, the sector could experience potential for residential development.
“In Port-Daniel, there is a water supply and sewer network, but construction is limited. In Gascons, with the water and sewer service, it’s a good service to have when in the summer, there was a water shortage,” says the mayor.
Mr. Grenier does not want to make it a political legacy. “I will remain humble, but I can tell you one thing: I worked hard. I believed in it. Perseverance pays off. I am very happy to have concluded this file for the people of Gascons,” says the mayor.
He plans to seek a fifth term to oversee construction. “I want to see it through to the end,” concludes the mayor.
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