Saint John Safe Clean Drinking Water Project (SCDWP)

under construction

Opportunity Saint John’s current water system is one of the oldest in Canada, with some pipes in service since 1837. There are approximately 500 kilometres of distribution and transmission pipes buried beneath the city, making it the largest water system in New Brunswick. Since 1999 the City has invested over $128 million in drinking water improvements but the system remained a bone of contention for residents, some of whom don’t like the taste and won’t drink it. The Saint John Safe Clean Drinking Water Project (SCDWP) will ensure drinking water meets provincial and federal water standards for years to come. The city decided on a P3 with Port City Water Partners, noting that their proposition to marry international best practices with deep national experience and intimate local knowledge provided the best value for money solution on the market. In November 2013, the federal government announced a contribution of $57.3 million through the P3 Canada Fund. Challenges A common concern expressed by residents during open houses was ownership of water infrastructure. It was important to communicate that at all times the City of Saint John and Saint John Water will maintain ownership of its water sources and water infrastructure. Innovations Many local businesses and contractors attended meetings outlining the procurement process and joined a networking list shared with bidders for potential subcontracts. The Project Agreement includes performance standards, and the City can terminate the contract if Port City Water Partners fails to meet these standards. Results The project plan includes a new 75 million litre per day drinking water treatment facility, three new storage reservoirs with a total capacity of 33 million litres, and 15 other water transmission system improvements. The project replaces 22.4 kilometres of pipes and rehabilitate an additional 19.3 kilometres of water pipes. The system treats surface water from lakes on the east side of Saint John and groundwater from a group of new wells drilled on the west side. Setting water rates continue to be the responsibility of Saint John Common Council and the project may actually result in lower water rate increases for residents of Saint John. The project allows the city to minimize maintenance costs associated with aging infrastructure. According to the Value for Money analysis, using a P3 will result in cost savings of 8.7 per cent compared with traditional procurement “This vital investment is about providing Saint John residents with safe and clean drinking water and building a strong foundation for new development and growth throughout the region. This project will create a significant number of construction jobs in the Saint John region. Working with federal, municipal, and private sector partners is an important part of our government’s plan to create jobs in our communities and rebuild New Brunswick’s economy.” - Former New Brunswick Premier David Alward

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