Water Study Funding Announced

The Nova Scotia government has approved grants to 15 municipalities to help them provide safe drinking water to their residents, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Barry Barnet announced today, Jan. 28.

"Investing in essential infrastructure, such as water systems, is vital to the health of Nova Scotians and for economic growth in our communities," Mr. Barnet said. "Safe drinking water is often taken for granted in Nova Scotia, but the fact is we must make these investments to protect our water supply. We are working with municipalities to ensure that the water that comes out of the tap in Nova Scotia homes is as safe as any on earth."

The latest grants, totaling more than $150,000, are part of the Drinking Water Strategy in which the province committed to help municipalities assess their water systems. The grants were approved throughout 2003-04 and will be used to help the municipalities identify areas where their water systems need improvement. Funding for water utilities in the following municipalities was announced today: Cape Breton Regional Municipality -- $43,388 Inverness --$15,000 Colchester -- $15,000 (Tatamagouche) West Hants -- $11,000 (Falmouth $6,000; Three Mile Plains $5,000) Shubenacadie -- $13,320 East Hants -- $13,320 Yarmouth (town) -- $6,400 Windsor -- $6,231 Truro -- $5,665 Oxford -- $5,145 Shelburne -- $5,110 Cumberland -- $5,000 (Biggs Drive subdivision) Mulgrave -- $4,612 Annapolis Royal -- $4,240 St. Marys -- $2,990 (Sherbrooke)

The grants represent one-third of the estimated costs of preparing the assessment reports. So far, more than $250,000 has been committed to municipalities under this program. More than $100,000 worth of approvals were announced in April 2003. The minister said further announcements will be made as municipal funding applications are approved.