By Liz Dadson

Tiverton’s water woes could soon be over.

Kincardine councillor Ron Hewitt, chairman of the public works committee, told council last Wednesday night that once the new Briar Hill Well No. 2 is hooked into the village water system, its firm capacity will jump to 775 cubic metres/day from the current 250 cubic metres/day.

The firm capacity is defined as the system’s ability to produce water with its major source off-line.

The new well has been drilled, said Hewitt, and the municipality has applied to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for a permit to take water to include it. Hook-up of the new well and installation of the back-up generator are to be completed by spring, 2007.

Tiverton has been under a construction moratorium because there were questions earlier this year about whether the current capacity could meet the demand of the customers already on the water system.

However, Hewitt said the village has shown good conservation measures. For 2006, records indicate the average consumption is 400 cubic metres/day. The current Dent Well produces 250 cubic metres/day and the Briar Hill No. 1 Well provides 525 cubic metres/day. The new well will produce 720 cubic metres/day, bringing the firm capacity to 775 cubic metres/day.

“With the new well on-line, there would be a surplus of 375 cubic metres/day,” said Hewitt. “That’s the equivalent to 284 single detached dwellings.

“We will be monitoring the new well as it comes on-line to ensure the capacity is there. But this means that small development and housing can go ahead in Tiverton.”