Residents in Verner, located west of North Bay, are relieved to receive funding to address a long-standing water issue. Approximately 330 individuals in the area have been grappling with discolored water for the past six years, leading to stains on clothes and bedding, as well as damage to household appliances like washing machines and hot water heaters.
Carole Cousineau, a resident affected since 2019, described the challenges posed by the unpredictable bouts of brown water. She highlighted the impact on daily life, noting the uncertainty of water quality when using taps. The issue extended to laundry, with water turning brown mid-cycle, leaving clothes heavily stained.
Cousineau shared the extent of the problem, including the need to replace a hot water heater and the presence of manganese residue staining bathroom fixtures. Despite the water being deemed safe to drink, she and others in the community refrained from using it for various purposes, resorting to purchasing water independently.
Mike Pilon, the chief administrative officer of West Nipissing municipality, explained that the current water treatment plant drawing from the Veuve River contains manganese, causing discoloration but meeting safety standards for consumption. The municipality secured $18.1 million in government funding for an infrastructure project to address the issue by connecting a new water line from Cache Bay’s treatment plant to Verner.
Pilon outlined the project details, involving the installation of a water and wastewater line, set to commence construction in June 2027. Additional funding amounting to $6 million is being sought to cover the total project cost of $24 million, with a target completion date of 2029. Despite the ambitious nature of the plan, Pilon emphasized its significance as one of the municipality’s most substantial capital undertakings.
While Cousineau expressed gratitude for the forthcoming solution, she voiced disappointment at the projected timeline. She plans to save towards replacing affected fixtures and appliances to ensure a smooth transition to clean water once the remediation project is completed.