Petrolia Water Treatment Plant in Brights Grove Kicks Off a Multi-Year, $16.2M Intake Project
The Town of Petrolia, Township of Enniskillen, Township of Dawn-Euphemia, and Village of Oil Springs will benefit from the intake replacement project, as it will restore treatment capacity at the Bright’s Grove WTP and maintain a safe drinking water supply system to over 11,200 residents in the Town of Petrolia, Townships of Enniskillen and Dawn-Euphemia and the Village of Oil Springs.
The current estimate cost for this project is $16.2M. A funding announcement of $11.9 million was made in 2022 by the federal government and the Province of Ontario. The announcement comes after an application to the 2021 intake of the Green Infrastructure funding stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) was approved at both the Federal and Provincial level.
At the kickoff to the project, Stuart Winchester, P.Eng. from CIMA+ addressed those in attendance with some information about the project and some timelines.
• The Works were tendered publicly on 18 February 2025. Bids for the works were received from five (5) pre-qualified firms, with the lowest acceptable bid submitted by Stone Town Construction Limited of St Mary’s, Ontario at a Total Tender Price of $12,512,773.50 plus HST.
• The Contract was Awarded to Stone Town Construction Limited on 15 April 2025, with an anticipated in-service date of 30 September 2026.
• On-site works to proceed through 2025 and early 2026. In-water works scheduled for spring/summer of 2026.
The Works include:
o Construction of a new Low-Lift Pump Station with a rated capacity of 12.0 MLd (Million Litres daily).
o Construction of a new 600mm intake pipeline extending approximately 380m into Lake Huron. The new intake pipeline will be constructed using HDPE pipe.
o Pre-treatment facility installed upstream of the existing membrane filters, to remove grit and turbidity from the raw water and protect the membrane filters.
The design was prepared based on 20-year population projections and included provisions for future upgrades depending on growing demands in the service area.
MP Marilyn Gladu said, “This is a project that is integral to the future of Petrolia, and to their neighbours in Enniskillen, Dawn-Euphemia and Oil Springs. The importance of clean and sustainable drinking water can not be underscored enough, and I am very pleased to be a part of this project.”
MPP Bob Bailey said, “I am extremely pleased that the federal and provincial governments are teaming with our local municipalities to modernize the critical water infrastructure in rural Lambton. This investment is part of the provincial government’s plan to create sustainable communities with resilient infrastructure for residents today, and for generations to come.”
The project will take place at the Brights Grove Water Treatment Plant (WTP) that is owned by the Town of Petrolia and operated by Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) on behalf of the Town.
The project includes:
- replacement of the existing 400mm diameter cast iron intake pipe with a new 600 mm diameter “open” gravity intake system connected to a new intake wet well equipped with 3 submersible low lift pumps.
- Installation of a new in-lake passive intake screen with a protective crib structure
- Frazil ice and zebra mussel control systems
- Piping connections from the new intake pipe onshore to the intake wet well and from the intake pump station to the WTP
- Process / pre-filtration upgrades to improve the performance-based capacity of the WTP and prevent uncontrolled plant shut-downs during storm and/or water quality events associated with climate change.
Mayor of Petrolia, R. Brad Loosley said, “…Of all the critical infrastructure items in a Municipality, access to safe drinking water is the absolute, single most important component to a healthy community. I would like to thank our neighbours in the Township of Enniskillen, Township of Dawn-Euphemia, and Village of Oil Springs for their support of this project. Further, I would like to thank MPP, Bob Bailey and MP, Marilyn Gladu for their continuous support, and the provincial government and the federal government for the funding to make this project a reality.”
Warden of the County of Lambton, and Mayor of Enniskillen Township, Kevin Marriott said, “We are pleased to work together with our neighbours to see this project through to completion. This is a key project for our community also. We are grateful to the senior level governments for their vision and support.”
Mayor of Dawn-Euphemia, Alan Broad said, “We would like to express our gratitude to the province and the federal government for this funding, and to our neighbours for the partnership to see this project through. This important infrastructure component will serve our communities well into the future and maintain our extremely high-quality drinking water.”
Mayor of Oil Springs, Ian Veen said, “Oil Springs is proud to be a part of this project and identifies the high importance of safe drinking water for our community. We would like to extend our thanks to the province, the federal government and to our neighbouring communities, for once again working together to benefit a large part of rural Lambton.”
The project is expected to take eighteen (18) months to complete. The Town of Petrolia wishes to give thanks to CIMA+, Stone Town, and OCWA for their efforts and support of this sizeable project.
It was a perfect day in Petrolia as the Petrolia and Area Kiwanis Club officially opened the splash pad at the Petrolia YMCA. After fundraising the project and working with the Town of Petrolia for the past few years, the project is complete and already playing host to many families looking to cool off!
The seasonal addition to the Town has been one of the highest requested amenities in recent years, and the Town of Petrolia is grateful to the Petrolia and Area Kiwanis Club for their donation and dedication to seeing this project through to completion.
“Not only are we appreciative of this project, and for the community amenity, but we are also so proud that the Petrolia and Area Kiwanis Club included an oil derrick as the centerpiece – a nice nod to our history as a community and region.” Said Mayor R. Brad Loosley.
In the area there are changerooms, washrooms, benches, and a concession area. As the park space continues to develop, the soccer fields will open, and future additions will be considered and included.
Deputy Mayor, Joel Field said, “I’d like to congratulate the Petrolia and Area Kiwanis Club on this awesome addition to Petrolia! This has been talked about for the 15 years that I have been on Council, and it’s so great to see a service club rise to meet the challenge! Petrolia is so fortunate!”
Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Julie Bullock said, “…I am very excited to have the splash pad open for all to enjoy. It’s been a pleasure to work with the Kiwanis Club members to see this become a reality.”
The Splash Pad remains open until the end of September, and the full schedule is June through September annually, open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
It is with sincere congratulations that we celebrate Councillor Debb Pitel on her receipt of the King Charles III Coronation Medal!
The Coronation Medal commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada. Recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medal are being recognized for their contribution to their community and nation.
Councillor Pitel is a tireless advocate for mental health and through her “No One Stands Alone” program and booklet. Ms. Pitel has touched the hearts of many through her advocacy and her speaking engagements, and with the printed booklets helped countless people understand that there is support out there, and that they are not alone.#PetroliaProud#Congratulations#KingCharlesIII#CoronationMedal
Freedom of Information Act Appeal Successful
The Town of Petrolia advises residents that through application and appeal through the Freedom of Information Act, that information regarding a letter from Mayor R. Brad Loosley, barring former Councillor Marty Souch from In-Camera Meetings in response to the former Councillors defiance of the Town of Petrolia Confidentiality Policy and for his actions violating the Council Code of Conduct, has been released to the public.
Following our policies at the Town of Petrolia, this information was protected under the employee confidentiality policy. The release of this information is pursuant to the decision of the Adjudication Review Officer from the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
There will be no further comments from the Town of Petrolia in relation to this matter.
Petrolia Mayor Returns Several Strong Mayor Powers to Members of Council and Administration
Following the Provincial announcement that several new communities would see Strong Mayor Powers come to their community as of May 1, 2025, Mayor R. Brad Loosley has spent some time reviewing the new role and how he would like to proceed for the balance of his term in Petrolia.
Following an in-depth Council Education Session provided by Integrity Commissioner, John Mascarin, and after reviewing the new powers and guidelines, Mayor R. Brad Loosley has chosen to delegate the following Strong Mayor Powers to both Council and Administration respectively.
These include:
• The Establishment of Committees and Functions to Council
• Organizational Structure and Hire and Dismiss Certain Senior Staff to the CAO
• Delegate Recruitment and Dismissal of CAO to Council
Those powers that Mayor R. Brad Loosley has retained cannot be delegated.
Full details of the Strong Mayor powers as provided by the Province of Ontario can be found here https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-municipal-councillors-guide/10-strong-mayor-powers-and-duties.
“…The biggest takeaway from all of this is that this is a broad, sweeping change for us, and that I strongly felt that a detailed review was important before I made a quick decision. I trust our administrative staff, and I value the input of Council and the role that we all play in the continued betterment of the Town of Petrolia for our residents and visitors.” Said Mayor R. Brad Loosley. He then added that, “I appreciate the time I have spent with staff to review the Strong Mayor powers, and for the opportunity to understand how we can continue to proceed with open and accountable governance in the Town of Petrolia.”
Petrolia Canada Day Family Fishing Derby Lots of Fun!
Petrolia – The annual Canada Day family fishing derby returned this year, and organizers were very pleased to welcome families to try their skills at catching a fish in Petrolia’s Little Lake in Bridgeview Park.
The annual fishing derby brought many families to the park and lots of first-time anglers had success in catching their first fish!
We are pleased to announce the winners this year:
4 & under
1st place- Hallie Deelstra – 29” Carp
2nd place- Max Rainsberry – 12” Catfish
3rd place – Miller Hollingsworth – 6” Catfish
5–6-year-olds
1st place- Sadie Deelstra – 26” Carp
2nd place- Charlie Kitson – 21” Carp
3rd place- William Simone – 14” Catfish
7–9-year-olds
1st place- Wyatt Deelstra – 19” Catfish
2nd place- Lily Rankin – 15.5” Sucker
3rd place- James Jasmin – 15” Catfish
10–12-year-olds
1st place- Madison Butler – 23” Catfish
2nd place- Weston Piggott – 22” Catfish
3rd place- Archer Weed – 16” Sucker
13+
1st place- Jadin Vandenberghe – 31” Carp
2nd place- Tie Richards – 19” Catfish
3rd place- Chloe Reid- 18” Catfish
Some quick statistics:
- 55 fish caught and released
- 1 root mass
- 1 snapping turtle
Director Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Julie Bullock said, “It was great to see so many young anglers out for the annual Canada Day Family Fishing Derby, the banks of Little Lake were packed with families. The weather was perfect, and the fish were biting – you can’t ask for better than that!”
We would like to extend a huge thank you to The Outdoorsman, CUPE Local 2393 and to the Lambton Central Petrolia Optimist Club for their sponsorship of the prizes, and to our volunteers that made the measuring look easy. Thank you to all participants, please visit the Town of Petrolia, Ontario Facebook page to view a complete album of the winners.
Photo: Age 4 & Under – 1st place- Hallie Deelstra – 29” Carp with Lambton Central Petrolia Optimist Club President Sandra Haines, and CUPE Local 2393 member, and long-time Town employee Todd Woolaver.