New Water Treatment Plant Named In Honour of Former City Engineer
Fredericton (September 12, 2008) - The City of Fredericton's new $8.5-million water treatment plant on Waterloo Row was officially named in honour of former City Engineer John Bliss during a commemorative ceremony held at the facility today.
"John Bliss is not only a great City Engineer but he is also a great person," said Mayor Brad Woodside. "Under his watch, the quality of our water supply improved greatly as a result of the efforts he made during his 19-years working for the people of Fredericton.
Construction of the E. John Bliss Water Treatment Plant is nearing completion after a year of construction. It is expected to officially open and go on-line later this year.
"John Bliss served the citizens of Fredericton with distinction and dedication for 19 years," said Councillor Scott McConaghy, chair of the City's Public Safety and Environment Committee. "He even served a term as a City Councillor before becoming the City Engineer. He set the bar high for our water utility and he deserves a lot of credit for the good reputation it enjoys."
Mr. Bliss served as a City Councillor from 1971 to 1973 and as City Engineer from 1979 to 1998. He was instrumental in removing manganese in Fredericton's drinking water by overseeing 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.
Mr. Bliss also was honoured during the ceremony by Tanya Horgan, president of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick and by Mark Butler, Chair of the Atlantic Canada Water Works Association.
A special tribute came from Don Gibson, a retired Assistant City Engineer who worked closely with both Mr. Bliss and Mr. Bliss's predecessor as City Engineer Bill Barrett, who was honoured by the City last year with the naming of the City's other water treatment plant on Smythe Street.
Mr. Bliss was accompanied during the ceremony by his wife, Dr. Dorothy McDade.
"I want to thank the Mayor and Council of the City of Fredericton for this special honour," said Mr. Bliss. "I also want to thank all the great people with whom I had the pleasure to work at City Hall. I am truly humbled and honoured to have my name associated with this beautiful new water treatment plant."
The E. John Bliss Water Treatment Plant will treat and filter 270 litres of water per second and pump it into the City's water supply from new wells drilled in the Queens Square area. ADI Ltd., of Fredericton were the architects and design engineers for the project and the principal contractor is Springhill Construction Ltd., of Fredericton. The landscaping soils, trees and shrubs were installed by the City of Fredericton Parks and Trees Division.
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Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton, 506-460-2227.
