New Water Treatment Plant To Be Named after Former City Engineer
Fredericton (March 10, 2008) - The City of Fredericton's new water treatment plant, currently under construction on Waterloo Row, will be named in honour of former City Engineer John Bliss.
The $8-million facility will officially be called the E. John Bliss Water Treatment Plant when it opens later this year. The announcement was made today by Councillor Tony Whalen, Chair of the City's Public Safety and Environment Committee.
"John Bliss served the citizens of Fredericton with distinction and dedication for 19 years," said Councillor Whalen at the March meeting of the committee. "He was instrumental in making the Fredericton Water Utility the highly regarded organization it is today."
Mr. Bliss was City Engineer from 1979 to 1998. His career was highlighted by the role he played in solving the problem of manganese in Fredericton's drinking water by construction of the largest manganese removal plant in North America. Water quality improvements continued under his leadership with the introduction of modern construction and maintenance processes.
During his tenure he was responsible not only for the management of the city's water, wastewater and storm water management systems but also construction and maintenance of roads and streets, parks and trees, engineering and construction of public works, and fleet management.
Mr. Bliss received a Civil Engineering degree from University of New Brunswick in 1955. He worked for Canada Cement until 1965, when he joined ADI Limited to manage their Materials Laboratory and provide consulting in municipal and structural engineering. He also served as a City Councillor from 1971 to 1973.
He became a registered member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of New Brunswick in August, 1957. He went on to serve as president of the organization in 1980, has served as Registrar since 1982 and is still actively chairing committees of the organization today.
Mr. Bliss was also active in the Atlantic Canada Water Works Association, serving as Chair of the organization in 1986. He was presented the Ira P. MacNab award in 1988, and the Diplomat award in 1991.
Mr. Bliss and his wife, Dorothy McDade, are active supporters of the United Way, the YM-YWCA, Fredericton Indoor Pool, The Playhouse, and the University of New Brunswick.
The City's current water treatment plant on Smythe Street, which has served the City's water needs for more than a century, was named the William L. Barrett water treatment plant last June.
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Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton (506) 460-2227.
