Prior to 1997, the Town of Stewiacke had drawn its water from the St. Andrews River, a highly coloured and highly variable water supply. Cost estimates for a new 288,000 GPD water treatment plant were from $600,000 to $1,000,000 depending on process and capacity. In 1996 a manufacturer of DAF and filter equipment approached ABL to provide design engineering services for a design-build treatment plant proposal to the Town. ABL completed the design and the plant was constructed at a cost of about $380,000.

The treatment process consists of chemical coagulation, flocculation, dissolved air flotation, clarification and rapid sand filtration. Disinfection is by hypochlorite solution in a chlorine contact tank. ABL provided operator training over a six month period and performed troubleshooting and commissioning of the plant equipment. ABL was extensively involved in the troubleshooting exercise as this was the DAF manufacturer's first installation and equipment modifications were required to obtain the performance expected by the Town. The plant has been performing well since 1997. Other work associated with the project included a water pressure study, design of a pressure booster station and watermain replacement.