Two Pictou County Projects to Receive Infrastructure Funding

Residents of the Town of Pictou and Lyons Brook, Pictou Co., will soon have improved wastewater collection and treatment thanks to investments through the Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

Improvements include the design and construction of a new wastewater treatment facility and collector sewer for the Town of Pictou. More than 1,600 households and 300 businesses on the municipal wastewater collection system will have their wastewater treated to a higher quality. About 130 households in Lyons Brook and surrounding area will also be converted from malfunctioning on-site sewage systems to a municipal collection and treatment system.

Federal and provincial funding of $5,095,684 was announced today, Aug. 24. The Town of Pictou and the Municipality of the County of Pictou will fund the balance of the $9.64-million project upon formal acceptance of the agreement and environmental assessment approval.

"Infrastructure is the foundation of our economic progress and a necessity for a high quality of life," said Peter MacKay, Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "We know that by joining forces with provincial and municipal governments, we can find creative solutions to help communities build the infrastructure they need."

"Our government is committed to ensuring that health and safety issues are addressed in each and every community throughout Nova Scotia," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "Investing in municipal infrastructure projects such as today's wastewater improvements is an essential factor in building a better quality of life for Nova Scotians."

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

"We are extremely pleased that our federal and provincial partners are investing in our new wastewater treatment facility," said Joseph Hawes, mayor of the Town of Pictou. "There is no question that this project will contribute to a cleaner environment in our community."

"The federal and provincial funds will enable us to participate in this important wastewater project," said Allister MacDonald, warden for the Municipality of the County of Pictou. "This project will have significant benefits for the health of our community and will make a real impact on the quality of life of our residents."

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 also members of the management committee.