News release

Sewage Collection System to be Extended in Weymouth Area

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

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Sewage Collection System to be Extended in Weymouth Area


Weymouth area residents will be seeing further improvements to their sanitary sewage collection system thanks to funding from the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

Joint federal-provincial funding, in the amount of $633,334, was announced today as one of 14 project approvals totalling more than $14.1 million, by Gordon Balser, MLA for Digby-Annapolis, on behalf of Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

"We've listened to the priorities of the local government and are responding to meet those needs -- to improve the quality of our water, clean up the environment and assist in future growth," said Mr. Balser.

Green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective wastewater management and safe drinking water is the first priority under the program. The majority of the federal and provincial funding announced in the first year will be directed to green projects, like the Weymouth sewer system project.

"The Government of Canada is committed to building strong communities and improving our quality of life," said Mr. Thibault. "Through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program, we are investing in green projects that address our highest priorities -- the water we drink and the air we breathe."

The $950,000 Weymouth sewer system project will connect up to 86 homes and businesses to the existing treatment facility. The areas of Journeay's Brook, Old Sissiboo Road and Weymouth North will be serviced for the first time by municipal wastewater services. Until now, the sewage from some of these areas flowed directly into the Sissiboo River. The installation of these new sewage lines will mean a cleaner, more attractive river and a healthier environment.

"The benefits this project will bring to Weymouth are not difficult to see," said Helen Robinson, deputy warden of the Municipality of the District of Digby. "Not only will a significant amount of homes and businesses now be connected to a healthy, modern sewage system, but the Sissiboo River will be cleaner and beautified in the process."

The federal and provincial funding under the program is subject to the formal acceptance of the Municipality of Digby, which will fund the balance of the project.

This is one of a series of approval announcements for projects under the program totalling more than $39 million to date. Additional 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.