Village of Denzil to hold ribbon cutting on new water plant

By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice

DENZIL – The Village of Denzil will be celebrating its new water infrastructure Oct. 9 with an official ribbon cutting for its new $1.3 million water plant and water well.

Mayor Larry Reiniger stated in a phone call with Your West Central Voice Sept. 28 the million-dollar project progressed well and is complete, with the only job left the official ribbon cutting.

The mayor agreed large infrastructure projects like Denzil’s water plant are expensive but necessary. “Yeah, they are,” said Reiniger.

The project, which took about three years from start to finish, included a fully renovated water plant, a new water well and a full backup system called a “Generac.” The mayor added the new system is fully computerized.

Reiniger noted that the village’s existing water plant was completely revamped with the pulling of the filtration and electrical systems to be replaced with new filters and a UV light system.

The new water well was deemed necessary as Denzil’s water system, while being regularly monitored, had ammonia levels at the maximum allowable amount, an issue that’s apparently not unique to Denzil in that Hwy. #31 and #676 region.

Reiniger stated Denzil’s water never had a problem, but government testing required something be done to address the ammonia issue. The current well, related the mayor, dates back to the 1980s.

Denzil’s share of the project was roughly 25 per cent, with the balance coming from provincial and federal programs: grant funding from the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Reiniger stated the village’s engineer provided much aid and support in the project. “He did absolutely everything for us,” said the mayor.

With the new infrastructure in place, Reiniger estimates Denzil residents should be set for 50 to 100 years, excluding computer updates.

The mayor reiterated that the water plant and water well project was large, detailed and expensive, but previous councils wisely set aside funds to help pay the village’s share of the $1.3 million total price tag. During discussions, council looked at certain things that needed to be done, like the new water well, and decided to apply for the grants to do the entire project at once.

The village has invited dignitaries to an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 9 at the water plant, with local, provincial and federal government representatives expected, plus representatives of engineering and construction firms.

Reiniger added that the Village of Denzil greatly appreciated the help provincial and federal departments gave to help a small, rural community.