News release

Antigonish County Receives Funding for Water Supply Upgrade

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

Almost 500 households in Lower South River and St. Andrews, Antigonish Co., will have improved drinking water, thanks to funding through the Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

Federal and provincial investments totalling $1,213,440 announced today, May 6, will assist in the design and construction of a new water supply, storage, treatment and distribution system for Lower South River and St. Andrews. Forty-four households will be connected to the water supply and 445 current households on the municipal water supply system will have access to improved drinking water. The Municipality of the County of Antigonish will provide the balance of funding for the $1.8 million project upon formal acceptance of the agreement and environmental assessment approval.

"Our government recognizes and understands the challenges small communities face in realizing economic growth," said Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "That is why our government is so committed to helping communities secure the infrastructure they need to ensure quality of life and stimulate investment."

"Access to clean, safe drinking water is important to the health and well-being of Nova Scotians," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, on behalf of Richard Hurlburt, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "Today's announcement represents a positive step towards making our communities safer and healthier."

The new infrastructure program supports community infrastructure improvements, such as water, wastewater, and solid waste management.

"This is exactly the kind of investment that is needed to help us build a better economy and more sustainable communities," said Hebert Delorey, warden of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish. "The upgrade to the water supply will bring safer drinking water to households in the area."

The $111-million, six-year Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities are members of the management committee.