News release

Province Helps Oxford Water Project

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

?SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Province Helps Oxford Water Project


The Town of Oxford and its residents got some long-awaited good news about their water supply today.

Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, announced the province will invest $2.8 million to complete the Oxford Water Supply Project through the Provincial Capital Assistance Program.

"The people of Oxford have been putting up with a serious water problem for far too long," said Mr. MacIsaac. "We are committed to ensuring the return of acceptable drinking water to the residents and clearing the way for economic development."

Both the water-quality and economic-impact issues make this a high-ranking project for the province, he said. "This is an investment in the health and economic well-being of Oxford residents."

The project has become a priority for Oxford in order for it to meet current and future needs of the town and its largest water consumer, Oxford Frozen Foods. Oxford''s water source has saltwater influences and contains iron and manganese in excess of the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Currently, the town''s water system is not sufficient in quantity or quality to service residents or Oxford Frozen Foods, the major employer in the area.

"This is tremendous news that represents the future for Oxford," says Mayor Lloyd Jenkins. "This water treatment and supply project will help ensure the long-term viability of our community. This facility is going to be a very positive development for the area, well into the future."

The $5.4 million project will be funded with $2.8 million from the province, $1.2 million from the Town of Oxford; and $750,000 from Oxford Frozen Foods. In addition, $600,000 has already been invested under the former Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Works Program in 1998.

It is expected that a tender for the project will be awarded within the next couple of weeks. Construction will get under way shortly after the tender is awarded. Completion is scheduled for the end of August.

The town has already completed an extensive groundwater exploration project and is preparing design plans and specifications for the improvements.

The system will include four new production wells located near McElmon Brook,12 kilometres northwest of Oxford, and a chlorination plant at Mansfield.