New water-filtration building in Shakespeare nearing completion

Workers with Xterra Construction put the finishing exterior touches on the new Shakespeare water-filtration building beside the Shakespeare Variety store last week. The facility will house arsenic filtration, fire pumps and a water reservoir to support future village growth. Gary West photo

By Gary West

A new municipal building beside the Shakespeare Variety store is nearing the end of construction and will soon house a modern water-filtration system designed to improve drinking-water quality and support future growth in the village.

Shakespeare-area residents have watched the project take shape along Highway 7/8. The facility will include an arsenic-filtration system, high-lift fire pumps and a large water reservoir to accommodate future expansion in the community.

Perth East Coun. Andrew MacAlpine, who lives in Shakespeare, explained the background behind the project and the need for the new system.

In 2018, the Ontario government lowered the allowable level of arsenic in drinking water from 0.025 mg/L to 0.010 mg/L. Testing showed arsenic levels in the Shakespeare municipal drinking-water system at 0.0126 mg/L and 0.0108 mg/L – slightly above the new provincial limit.

The municipal system primarily services the subdivision north of Highway 7/8, along with some smaller systems south of the highway, while much of the village continues to rely on private wells.

In April 2021, Perth East council determined filtration options needed to be explored. At that time, the cost of installing arsenic filtration was estimated at approximately $1.88 million, with a significant portion of the funding secured from the province with support from then Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece.

During the evaluation process, the township engineer recommended a site beside the Shakespeare Variety store. Council also decided to incorporate high-lift fire pumps and additional growth capacity into the project.

With those additions, the estimated cost rose to $2.765 million. As of Feb. 4, 2025, the most recent public update placed the total project cost at $3.612 million.

Xterra Construction of Kitchener, a company experienced in water-treatment facilities, submitted the lowest bid and was awarded the contract.

With exterior work now nearing completion, the building represents a significant infrastructure investment for the village.