News release

East River to Benefit from Dechlorination Project

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

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--East River to Benefit from Dechlorination Project


The East River in Pictou County will become cleaner and healthier because of a waste water project funded through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

Joint federal and provincial funding in the amount of $36,866 was announced today by Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and by Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

"Building strong communities and improving quality of life is a priority for the government of Canada," said Mr. Thibault. "The Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is one of the ways we are investing in green projects designed to improve our environment and to provide safe, high-quality waste 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 is directed to green projects.

"This project is an important step to make the East River waste water plant more efficient, thereby making the river itself cleaner and healthier," said Mr. MacIsaac.

The $55,300 waste water dechlorination system project is an important element of the East River pollution abatement system, which is working towards improved waste water management for the Pictou County area. The dechlorination of waste water produced by the 25,000 households currently served by the treatment plant in Trenton would reduce the amount of chlorine flowing into East River by four to six tons (about 3.6 to 5.4 metric tons) per year.

Removal of the chlorine would greatly benefit the river environment. The federal and provincial funding under the program is subject to the formal acceptance of the Pictou County District Planning Commission, which will fund the balance of the project.

"Today's project announcement brings us one step closer to creating the kind of healthy environment our communities expect," said Sean MacDonnell, chair of the Pictou County District Planning Commission. "Community health is priority Number One."

This is one of a series of approval announcements for projects under the program. To date, 59 projects have been approved during Year One of the program, representing an investment of more than $76 million. 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. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation is a member of the management committee. The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is represented on the program's management committee.