Moncton reservoir to supply drinking water for next 50 years

TURTLE CREEK, N.B. –  Greater Moncton’s growing population will have drinking water for years to come thanks to a new reservoir and dam.

The Tower Road Dam and Reservoir was officially opened Wednesday.

“You can image we’re not going to grow very fast if we don’t have water and so it’s extremely important to the success of the community,” said Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc.

Greater Moncton has experienced problems with their drinking water in the past. In 2002, a severe drought caused Turtle Creek to reach a dangerously low water level. This led to turbid water for residents as dirt and mud entered the system.

“You often take for granted clean air and clean water,” said LeBlanc. “But the moment you don’t have it, you appreciate very quickly just how important it is and what the cost of it is. So it is an expensive undertaking for us, but at the same time it’s absolutely critical.”

The 1.5 km long dam and 25 hectare reservoir cost $43.1-million to build. The money came from all three levels of government, with the provincial and federal governments each giving close to $10-million and the City of Moncton covering the rest.

The original dam was designed to service 100,000 people. The new dam is expected to serve nearly double that.

Construction on the facility began in 2011 and the reservoir was filled in the spring. It is not replacing the old facility, but working in conjunction with it, to ensure Turtle Creek always has enough water.

Mayor LeBlanc said the new facility is expected to provide sufficient water for the community for the next 50 years.