‘We’re a growing community’: New water tower in Aylmer, Ont. brought online Friday

Aylmer commissions a new water tower as the area sees rapid economic and residential growth. CTV’s Gerry Dewan explains.

Water pressure won’t be an issue in the Aylmer area after a new water tower was brought online.

The new water tower has been operating since the end of September but was officially commissioned Friday.

“There is a great need in Aylmer right now, and in the area around Aylmer as well,” said Mayor Jack Couckuyt. “We’re a growing community.”

The new composite elevated tank holds approximately 7.6 million litres of water, more than double the capacity of the old stand tower built in downtown in the 1980s.

According to Couckuyt, “It’s going to accommodate water of the surrounding communities as well like Central Elgin and Malahide.”

It will also supply the Ontario Police College, located on the northeastern edge of Aylmer.

The area is anticipating substantial growth as the PowerCo EV battery plant takes shape in St. Thomas, and other EV related business that will support PowerCo also set up operations.

New housing is already being built in the shadow of the water tower, and the tower itself sits in AIM Park, Aylmer’s new business development area.

Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack was on hand for the commissioning ceremony.

“We have to make sure the infrastructure is in place. Water being a key component. Water and wastewater,” he said.

Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s Green Infrastructure stream, the town received almost $2 million from Ontario and $2 million from the federal government.

The total cost of the project was approximately $4.9 million.

Lawton says it’s an important investment, “If you want growth, you need infrastructure to accommodate it. So, this water tower will set up the community, Malahide and Central Elgin for decades to come.”

Couckuyt says when people think of the municipal water supply, they primarily think about the water coming into homes. But the water supply plays other important roles in the community.

Couckuyt adds improved water flow and pressure will help fire departments in the city and nearby communities.

The previous tower is being decommissioned and will be torn down, but no timeline has been set for that work.