Nanaimo’s state-of-the-art water treatment plant project could run $1.5 million over budget, according to the city’s water resource manager.
The municipality is in the final months of construction of the new $71-million filtration system that has capacity to treat up to 116 million litres per day to meet population projections.
The Nanaimo News Bulletin reported that higher-than-expected construction expenses and the province’s transition from HST back to PST and GST are blamed for the added expense.
Construction began two years ago, prompted by new requirements by the provincial health authority that the city increase disinfection measures. The design includes many “green” features such a the capacity to reuse solid waste, passive solar, and recycled materials in the concrete.
The city hopes to have the treatment plant running by mid-December.
