Timmins to build $26.7M water tower

The City of Timmins is replacing its aging water tower with a $26 million structure that is further away from expanding mining activity.

Timmins is relocating its water tower away from expanding mining activity and replacing a key part of its water infrastructure at the same time.

The new Tisdale Water Tower will be built at 4517 Goldmine Rd. by Landmark Structures for $26,682,700, the city said in a news release Wednesday.

In addition to replacing the existing tower, it will have additional water storage capacity and be further away from expanding mining activity near the Discovery Silver tailings site and closer to South Porcupine, the release said.

“The selected site offers numerous benefits, including proximity to existing water services,” Scott Tam, director of growth and infrastructure, said in the release.

“There will be minimal environmental and archaeological impact and suitable elevation.”

Will hold 10M litres of water

After evaluating two design options, the city has chosen an elevated tower about 58 metres tall that can hold 10 million litres of potable water.

“Its height enables water to flow into the municipal distribution system using gravity, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping and reducing long-term operating and maintenance expenses,” the release said.

The current Tisdale Reservoir on Langmuir Road will be decommissioned once the new tower is fully operational.

The project will take three years and the city is seeking federal funding through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to help offset some of the cost.

“Council is investing in sustainable, long-term infrastructure solutions that ensure reliable water service and support quality of life,” Mayor Michelle Boileau said in the release.

“By building capacity in our water system now, we can effectively plan for future growth and increased demand on critical infrastructure.”

For more details about the Tisdale Water Tower project, click here.