Cornwall is on track to augment its water capacity by constructing a new storage tower, poised to support the growing demands of the P.E.I. town. The new water tower, nearing completion after extensive efforts, is designed to accommodate four million liters, surpassing the town’s existing tower capacity of approximately 3.7 million liters.
According to Coun. Cory Stevenson, head of Cornwall’s utility committee, the necessity for this project is driven by the town’s burgeoning population. Stevenson highlighted Cornwall’s status as the 14th fastest-growing community in Canada and the most rapidly expanding town in Atlantic Canada, emphasizing the imperative need for increased water capacity to sustain residential and commercial development.
The installation of the new tower not only caters to the town’s current growth trajectory but also ensures readiness for emergency scenarios like firefighting and natural disasters. The project’s funding, totaling around $4.2 million, is a collaborative effort across various levels of government.
Stevenson anticipates the new tower to be operational within four to six weeks. Following safety checks, the structure will be filled with water over a two-week period. Stevenson emphasized that the new tower is not a replacement but a supplement to the existing infrastructure, effectively doubling Cornwall’s water supply capacity.
Looking ahead, Stevenson envisions both towers collectively servicing the town for the next two decades if Cornwall sustains its current growth rate.