A site blessing was held on Friday prior to work commencing on the new water treatment plant to be built on Cardiff Road.
Mayor Neil Volzke, councillors and Stratford District Council staff were present along with contractors and consultants involved with the project.
The blessing was carried out by Hemi Haddon with support from Whakaahurangi whanui in a dawn ceremony.
The completed plant will provide water to Stratford by mid to late September, says Sven Hanne, Stratford District Council's director of assets.
He adds that the project is expected to be delivered at a price tag sitting at about $800,000 below the original budget of $7.5 million thanks to a competitive market.