Infrastructure Program Invests in Wastewater Improvements for Pictou County Communities

Residents in New Glasgow, Stellarton, Trenton, Westville, and the Municipality of Pictou will benefit from improved wastewater treatment thanks to a shared investment by the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund.

Federal, provincial and municipal funding for two projects totaling $3,175,200 was announced today, Jan. 11, in New Glasgow by Pat Dunn, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, on behalf of Richard Hurlburt, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, and by Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

"These investments will see needed wastewater upgrades that will help protect and preserve the East River," said Mr. Dunn. "It is through our continued partnerships that we are able to protect our environment, enable development and build for our families now and for years to come."

"Our government's more than $1-million investment in these projects comes from our $33-billion Building Canada Plan, the most ambitious infrastructure renewal effort in half a century," said Mr. MacKay. "The plan is about providing long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada."

The Town of New Glasgow's storm-separation project includes new storm sewers for 12 streets, servicing 300 households. The East River Environmental Control Centre pumping station project includes upgrades to 12 pumping stations that serve New Glasgow, Stellarton, Trenton, Westville, and others areas of Pictou County. The projects will help remove storm water from the sewer system to make the East River Environmental Control Centre operate more efficiently. It will also make the East River safer for recreational activities.

"This investment will not only protect the East River, it will enable development to take place in many communities throughout Pictou County," said Lloyd Hines, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

Under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, the federal, provincial and municipal governments anticipate investing $111 million in infrastructure projects in smaller, communities across Nova Scotia, between now and 2014.