The Town of Niverville has received a grant from the federal and provincial governments to improve water services to many businesses. With a combined value of around $2 million, the grant will allow Niverville to bring town water to the businesses along Main Street from 6th Avenue to the railroad tracks.
Businesses along Main Street currently draw their water from wells. If the proposed project goes through, lines will be run down 5th Avenue from the water treatment facility.
According to Mayor Myron Dyck, access to town water would lessen the likelihood of problems that are often associated with wells. “If you’re on a well, you run the risk of being under a boil water advisory which would affect your staff or clients,” he says. “If you couldn’t use your well, it would put a strain on your business.”
Dyck says many businesses won’t even consider setting up shop along Main Street because of the lack of water services. “Some businesses will not come to Niverville until they have the essential utilities in place. They need access to water, access to fire suppression, and access to proper sewer.”
Each business that connects to town water would be subject to a connection fee. The town is currently working with engineers to come up with various payment options and, once that has been determined, they hope to hold a town hall meeting with businesses in the coming weeks.
Kenton Pilek, owner of Spectis Moulders Inc., says the one reason he would like access to town water is for fire suppression.
“I don’t need water for processing, but town water would allow me to install a sprinkler system, which would also lower my insurance costs,” he says.
Pilek had been approached to hook up to town water in the past, but the cost was just too high. “One of the reasons we came to town in 1997 was because the town was talking about doing water and that we would have that option to have water for expansion,” he explains. “When Fifth Avenue Estates came in, they offered me the option to join but it was far too much money.”
Pilek says he will consider connecting to town water if the price is right.
“If it’s a matter of a few thousand dollars—it’s a no-brainer,” he says. “I would continue to maintain my wells but I would hook up for sure.”
