News release

Colchester County Communities to Benefit from Improved Drinking Water

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

Colchester County residents in Bible Hill and Stewiacke will benefit from improved drinking water thanks to an investment by the governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and two municipalities.

Expansion of the water distribution system in the Village of Bible Hill and the replacement of a water reservoir in the Town of Stewiacke are being funded under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

The $2.1-million investment was announced today, April 18, in Bible Hill by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Jamie Muir and Senator Gerald Comeau, on behalf of Peter MacKay, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The Village of Bible Hill and the Town of Stewiacke will fund one-third of the costs of their respective projects, which respond to municipal and infrastructure program priorities.

"We are working closely with our municipal and federal partners to help ensure that our communities have safe drinking water," said Mr. Muir. "These projects will contribute to a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future for our families and our communities."

"The government of Canada is committed to improving community infrastructure and providing a safer environment," said Mr. Comeau. "Through this investment of more than $705,000, government is working with residents of Bible Hill and Stewiacke to improve the quality and reliability of community water supplies."

The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Program supports community infrastructure improvements such as water, wastewater and solid-waste management.

"The governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and municipalities are responding to infrastructure needs to build a strong, healthy communities, which will encourage economic opportunities," said Robert Wrye, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

Today's investment is part of the $133-million, six-year Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, which is administered by ACOA and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities are members of the program management committee.