Residents in Verner, a community located west of North Bay, are relieved to receive funding to address a longstanding water issue they have been facing. Over the past six years, some of the 330 residents have encountered instances of discolored water, causing damage to their belongings and appliances such as hot water heaters and washing machines.
Carole Cousineau, a resident affected by the problem since 2019, highlighted the disruptive nature of the unpredictable episodes of brown water. She expressed frustration, stating that the uncertainty of the water color coming out of the tap has disrupted their daily routines.
Cousineau recounted instances where the water turned brown mid-cycle in the washing machine, leaving clothes stained and bed sheets looking dirtied. Despite the water being deemed safe for consumption, she refuses to drink it and has resorted to purchasing water due to the lack of support from the municipality.
The chief administrative officer of the municipality of West Nipissing, Mike Pilon, explained that the current water treatment plant drawing water from the Veuve River contains high levels of manganese, causing the discoloration issues. To address this, the municipality has secured $18.1 million in funding for an infrastructure project. This project involves the installation of a new water line from the treatment plant in Cache Bay to Verner, sourced from the Sturgeon River.
Pilon detailed that the construction, set to commence in June 2027, aims to resolve the water problem by creating a new water line. The total cost of the project amounts to $24 million, with additional funding efforts underway for the remaining $6 million. The completion date is projected for 2029, marking one of the municipality’s significant capital projects.
While Cousineau welcomes the forthcoming solution, she expressed disappointment at the extended timeline. In preparation for clean water, she plans to save for replacing fixtures and appliances affected by manganese residue until the water issue is resolved.