Groton -- Construction may already be underway, but that doesn’t mean there’s not still time for a late celebration.

Local officials, members of Groton Utilities, the Environmental Protection Agency, the state Department of Public Health and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy gathered Monday at the Groton Utilities Water Treatment Facility for a groundbreaking ceremony in honor of the facility’s $54 million rehabilitation project.

The facility, which supplies water to residents in Groton City, Groton Town, Ledyard and other communities, received a $15 million grant from the state for the project, which is expected to be completed in August 2022.

Although construction began many months ago, Monday marked the first time that many of the key players who made the project possible could get together in one place.

“This is also an important statement not about the past or what existed here on this site previously, but very much about the future and the future of economic development in this portion of the state and of course it’s dependence on water,” Malloy said. “Water is a public trust and we have to make sure it is delivered as clean as possible, as pure as possible and this is an important step to reassure our residents, reassure those that make investments … and to reassure those neighboring systems that they have a good friend to call upon.”

The plant, which dates back to 1938, received its last major upgrade in 1960, which led the state to rank it among its top priorities under the state revolving fund program a few years ago.

The project, which was approved in its current iteration last year, aims to provide major renovations to one of the region's important water treatment plants. The project calls for electrical and mechanical upgrades, enhanced fire protection and new technology for treating wastewater.

The project will also integrate with some neighboring systems as well.

"This new filtration plant is being built with the best available technology which will ensure ongoing reliable quality for the future," said Groton Utilities Director Ron Gaudet. "It is also going to greatly improve water storage and delivery systems which will help with resiliency."