On Monday, December 8, North Glengarry Council approved the installation of a 30,000-gallon underground water storage tank by Compass Greenfield Development (CGD) near the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in Dunvegan to support fire protection efforts. CGD will be responsible for the installation and construction at no cost to the township, after which ownership of the tank will be transferred to the municipality, which will assume maintenance and operational responsibilities.
Fire Chief Matthew Roy stated that, as part of the North Glengarry BESS project, CGD has offered to construct an underground water storage tank at 19050 County Road 24 to serve as an emergency water source in the event of an incident at the facility. The water tank will also be accessible for fire protection services throughout North Glengarry and will not be limited to use at the BESS site.
CGD Project Manager Elijah Garrett confirmed that the BESS project is nearing completion, with the remaining work focused on electrical requirements from Hydro-One. Garrett said, “We have been working closely with the North Glengarry Fire Department and Chief Roy to deliver this tank to the town of Dunvegan. The project was funded as part of our ongoing commitment to the community.”
CGD is working closely with both the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and Hydro-One to complete final verifications, with commissioning expected in the first quarter of 2026.
“After conducting further review, it was determined that in the unlikely event of an incident at the BESS facility, the water storage tank would help reduce any potential strain on the fire department’s resources. We also anticipate this will reduce insurance rates for nearby residents, though actual savings will vary,” Garrett said.
“Water storage tanks are not a standard requirement for BESS facilities; however, the need was determined through meaningful engagement with local fire departments and the community,” Garrett concluded.
In the interim, CGD has installed a temporary above-ground water storage tank, which will be removed once the underground tank is in place.
