Work on Drayton’s new $6 million water tower is officially underway. The Township of Mapleton broke ground on the project Wednesday.
“This is something that’s been a long time coming for our community, we’ve been talking about it for a lot of years,” Mayor Gregg Davidson said, noting the tower will meet Drayton’s needs “now and into the future.”
"We know what the growth pattern is for the next 30 years, and this tank will support beyond 30 years."
Mapleton councillors approved the project in June, after deciding it would be too risky to delay it, despite increased costs due to COVID-19 related disruptions in the supply chain.
Water pressure levels in Drayton, for both residential use and firefighting are getting “dangerously close to the minimum levels set up by the government,” Mapleton CAO Manny Baron said.
“So of course, we have to address that," he continued. "To make sure that everybody can have a decent shower, but more importantly, making sure that the residents of Drayton are safe when it comes to firefighting.”
Once built, the elevated tank will be connected to Drayton’s existing water distribution system. Davidson said the township hopes to have construction completed by September 2022.
He noted it will be Mapleton's first water tower.
“It’s going to be a beacon in the community,” Davidson said.