Eight Communities in Kings and Hants Counties Receive Infrastructure Funding

NOTE: A list of projects approved under the Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund for June 28 follows this release.

Residents of eight communities in Kings County and Shubenacadie in Hants County will soon have improved water and wastewater systems thanks to investments from the Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

Federal and provincial funding of almost $4 million was announced today, June 28, by the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia. The municipalities will fund an additional $2 million towards the balance of the project costs. As a result of these projects, almost 2,700 households will have improved drinking water. Many residents will also have improved fire protection and water-treatment quality.

The projects in Shubenacadie, New Minas, Canning and Port Williams will help those communities meet the new provincial drinking water standards. Most of the work centres on improving the quality of drinking water, and specific projects include a new reservoir, watermains and water-quality monitoring equipment.

Wolfville, Kentville and Hantsport are also focused on improving the quality of drinking water. The projects include replacing watermains and sanitary sewers, as well as installing or replacing storm sewers.

The Kingsport project will connect 100 households to the municipal water system, and includes a new well and the installation of watermains.

"Community infrastructure, such as improving our drinking water and wastewater systems, is a priority for government," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "These projects will help communities meet new water regulations and contribute to their quality of life, as well as protecting the environment."

"The federal government is getting things done for the residents of Kings and Hants counties by investing almost $2 million in important infrastructure projects," said Senator Donald Oliver, on behalf of Peter MacKay, Minister of the 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 to support a high quality of life."

The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund supports community infrastructure improvements, such as water, wastewater and solid-waste management.

"Nova Scotia municipalities have substantial infrastructure needs, and we're pleased the federal and provincial governments are contributing," said Russell Walker, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. "These projects help protect our citizens and the environment, and they're important to the future of our communities."

Today's investment is part of the $133-million, six-year Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, which 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 program management committee.

NOTE: The following is a list of projects approved under the Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund for June 28.

Water Utility Upgrades, Village of New Minas (Federal: $200,000 Provincial: $200,000 Municipal: $200,000) This project provides for the design and construction of the first phase of upgrades to the water utility to meet Nova Scotia's 2008 drinking water regulations. About 1,500 households currently connected to the municipal water system will have improved drinking water.

Sherwood Drive Waterline Replacement - Phase 1, Town of Wolfville (Federal: $208,010 Provincial: $208,010 Municipal: $208,010) This project will provide for the design and installation of the first phase of the Sherwood Drive waterline replacement. About 85 households currently connected to the municipal water system will have improved drinking water.

Shubenacadie Water System Upgrade - Phase 1, Municipality of the District of East Hants (Federal: $500,000 Provincial: $500,000 Municipal: $500,000) This project will provide for the design and upgrade of the first phase upgrade of the Shubenacadie water system to meet Nova Scotia's 2008 drinking water regulations. About 320 households currently connected to the municipal water system will have improved drinking water.

Water and Sewer Upgrades - Phase 1, Town of Hantsport (Federal: $138,500 Provincial: $138,500 Municipal: $138,500) This project will provide for the design and replacement of the first phase of water and sewer infrastructure. About 25 households currently connected to the municipal water system will have improved drinking water.

Water Utility Upgrades - Phase 1, Village of Port Williams (Federal: $149,800 Provincial: $149,800 Municipal: $149,800) This project will provide for the design and installation of the first phase of upgrades to the water utility to meet Nova Scotia's 2008 drinking water regulations. About 360 households currently connected to the municipal water system will have improved drinking water.

Water Utility Upgrades - Phase 1, Village of Canning (Federal: $103,334 Provincial: $103,334 Municipal: $103,334) This project will provide for the design and installation of the first phase of upgrades to the water utility to meet Nova Scotia's 2008 drinking water regulations. About 370 households currently connected to the municipal water system will have improved drinking water.

Kingsport Water Phase 1, Municipality of the County of Kings (Federal: $545,346 Provincial: $545,346 Municipal: $545,346) This project will provide for the construction of the first phase of the Kingsport water system. About 100 new households will be connected to the municipal water system.

Glenview Avenue and School Upgrades - Phase 1, Town of Kentville (Federal: $150,000 Provincial: $150,000 Municipal: $150,000) This project will provide for the design and construction of the first phase of upgrades on Glenview Avenue and School Street. About 10 new households will be connected to the municipal water system and 30 households currently connected to the municipal water system will have improved drinking water.