It's now full speed ahead for the City of Steinbach in building a second water treatment plant and reservoir. It will be built just southeast of the intersection of Keating Road and Park Road. The federal government this week announced $5 million in the funding for the $11 million project. The city had already committed $5.4 million and the province $625,000.

Mayor Chris Goertzen says final planning is now underway with the project to go to tender in January.

"If the tender process does end in January, then by early March or late February, we'll probably see some construction already taking place. My understanding is the best time for this type of construction is when the frost is still in the ground. We look forward to acting on this quickly as we move through this process."

Goertzen says the city plans to have the plant in operation by November of next year. It will increase water capacity for future growth of the city including the area being annexed from the RM of Hanover to the west and north of existing city boundaries.