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Ottawa Mayor Larry O’Brien and Russell Township Mayor Ken Hill Wednesday signed the deal that will see Ottawa River water flow from the city through a pipe 28 kilometres to the township.
The project comes with major financial support from the federal and provincial governments, which are each spending $4.5 million for the long watermain. Russell, which currently relies on wells for water, has a population of almost 15,000. Mr. Hill said it was uncertainty over the long-term future of groundwater for wells that made him turn to Ottawa for help.
Mr. O’Brien stressed that the project will be at no cost to the city. He said the impact on Ottawa will be minor because Russell will use less than one per cent of Ottawa’s water consumption. Mr. O’Brien said the deal is part of being a good neighbour to Ottawa Valley communities.
Not everyone on Ottawa Council supports the deal.
Councillor Clive Doucet calls it “a new step in urban sprawl,” and says communities should be self sufficient when it comes to water, ensuring that groundwater is free of pollutants such as pesticides.
“How many more townships will come knocking on our door to solve their water problems?” said Mr. Doucet, in a statement.
The total project to replace Russell’s water system will cost $19 million. Mr. Hill said developers building houses will have to charge development charges to their customers to help cover the costs. Russell is expecting to grow to a population of 24,000 by 2025.
Construction will happen this year and the new water main will be flowing with Ottawa water by sometime in 2009.