The Mayor for Ritchot says expansion of their water treatment plant is all but complete.

Work started this last winter on expanding the plant east of Ste. Agathe along Provincial Road 305. Chris Ewen says the plant provides water to all corners of the municipality and the expansion was necessary to meet the demands.

"Because of the growth that's happening in the Ste. Agathe region, the St. Adolphe region and Ile des Chenes region," he says. "We're growing at a great pace and it's just better to be prepared than under serviced."

Ewen says the project is now technically complete. He notes all that is needed is a walkthrough, happening Wednesday to make sure there are no deficiencies and that everything is up to code. If it passes the test, Ewen says they could flip the switch in the next few days.

"It looks like a very healthy project," says Ewen, noting it appears they will stay on schedule and budget.

The project is being cost-shared between the municipal, provincial and federal governments, with each level contributing one-third of the total cost. The estimated cost is $1.6 million.

Meanwhile, Ewen says he does not anticipate residents will even notice the changeover to the expanded system. He suggests it would only have become noticeable if they opted not to expand and then the municipality reached its capacity.

"When our growth hit such an all-time high that we might be low on water or pressure," he suggests. "But now they will never notice it."