The borrowing by-law for the expansion of the Chèvrefils drinking water plant in Châteauguay will increase from $12 million to $38 million. City council increased the amount at its January public meeting, citing higher standards and construction costs since the project began.
Translation Amanda Bennett
The expansion of the Chèvrefils plant will upgrade water treatment processes and increase water production capacity “to meet both the growing needs of the City of Châteauguay and its obligations to supply water to other municipalities.”
Mayor Eric Allard explained that the project cost estimate was established 10 years ago and had not been adjusted since. “It no longer reflects reality given the changes in standards, needs, and construction costs,” he said. The first $12 million borrowing by-law was adopted in 2021.
The city is now at the planning and specifications stage for this infrastructure project.
It will seek grants and ensure that the other municipalities served by Châteauguay’s drinking water system pay their fair share to finance the project. The city is required by law to serve the municipalities of the Régie intermunicipale d’aqueduc de la Vallée de Châteauguay, which includes the towns of Mercier, Saint-Isidore, Saint-Urbain-Premier, and Sainte-Martine. It also serves Léry through an intermunicipal agreement that is up for renegotiation.
In response to a question from a citizen during the public meeting, the Mayor of Châteauguay stated that “at this time, water production costs are significantly higher than what they [the municipalities] are paying.”
