Niverville will be receiving approximately $700,000 in federal funding to bring potable water to their Main Street.

Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck says right now Niverville has a dual water system which means part of the town is still on wells, including Main Street, while the newer residential developments get water from a water treatment plant.

Dyck says council has been looking into putting both the residential and business community onto the water treatment system.

“To do the entire community is well over a 10 million dollar project. To do that all at one time is not financially viable for anyone, so we are taking bite sized pieces. Council, at its last planning meeting, made business a priority.”

Dyck says after consulting the Niverville Chamber of Commerce and carrying out some research Niverville Town Council decided to ask the federal government for money to bring water from the treatment plant to the Main Street business community. That funding has been approved.

Dyck notes the Main Street project is estimated at 2.1 million dollars and the federal government has committed to paying one third of that amount. Dyck says the province has also committed to one third of the cost and the Town is responsible for the final third. He adds the Town of Niverville has set their budget for 2015 so they will start looking for a way to find their contribution of $700,000 at the next planning session.

Dyck says the new water system will allow for fire suppression and bring potable water to institutions on Main Street such as the elementary school.

“You don't have to worry about things like boil water advisories. You never know when contamination could creep into your well system. Another advantage is on dollar and cent side. Insurance premiums when having access to fire suppression means that your business or house insurance will go down.”

Dyck says the Council has been working on this project for several years and this funding now gives them the opportunity to do a lot of the background work such as engineering, and tendering. He says it is to soon to say when the shovel will break ground as there is still too much preliminary work to be done.

Dyck says the council is quite happy and very thankful to both the federal and provincial governments for their contributions.