News release

Stewiacke Water System Upgrade Approved

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS-Stewiacke Water System Upgrade Approved


Residents of Stewiacke will soon see improvements in their water system, thanks to a system upgrade project funded through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

Joint funding, in the amount of $868,062, was announced today as one of 22 project approvals totalling more than $21.8 million, by Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Brooke Taylor, MLA for Colchester Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Angus MacIssac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

"The Government of Canada is working with Nova Scotians to build strong communities and improve our quality of life," said Mr. Thibault. "Through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program, we are investing in 'green' projects that will improve our environment and provide safe, higher quality water systems."

Green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective waste-water management and safe drinking water is the first priority under the program. The majority of the federal and provincial funding announced in year one will be directed to green projects, like the Water Distribution Upgrade.

"We are responding to the needs of our communities -- to improve the quality of drinking water, to clean up the environment and assist in meeting future economic growth," said Mr. Taylor.

The $1,302,093 project is the first of three phases, which will upgrade the town's entire water system. This project will replace some distribution and transmission lines, as well as add a high-lift pump and controls.

Once completed, the system is expected to help eliminate water- line breaks and provide more reliable water service to 1,500 residents. The federal and provincial funding under the Program is subject to the formal acceptance of the Town of Stewiacke, which will fund the balance of the project.

"Quite simply, we wouldn't be able to carry out this project on our own," said Stewiacke Mayor Bruce Lohnes. "We're happy that the federal and provincial governments were able to share the costs of this important project with us. "

This is the first in a series of approval announcements for projects nominated by municipalities under the program. Further announcements are expected as projects undergo environmental assessment and final approval.

The $195 million, six-year Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is represented on the Program's management committee.