So far city staff appear to be favouring a public private partnership, or P3, which it's claimed could save as much as $84.5 million if no funding is available under a traditional model.
Mayor Mel Norton tells CHSJ News nothing is written in stone unless the numbers add up and the business case is solid; however, the project would be impossible without the $50 million contribution from P3 Canada.
Norton stresses the project could well be the biggest in Saint John's 228-year history, and as such could mean the creation of new jobs. He also wants to debunk the assertion we would no longer own the water, contrary to the claims of local activist groups.
The project is expected to be completed by 2018 and the construction contracts would be awarded next year. Common councildecides whether to take the inaugural steps toward a P3 next Monday.
