Province Supports Upgrades to Municipal Infrastructure

NOTE: A list of municipal projects getting funding follows this release.

The province is supporting healthier communities with improved, modern infrastructure for 11 Nova Scotia municipalities through the Provincial Capital Assistance Program.

The province announced today, Aug. 2, it is investing more than $3.5 million to help upgrade municipal water and wastewater systems.

"Investing in municipal infrastructure keeps our communities vibrant and healthy and helps ensure a better quality of life for families," said Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister John MacDonell. "These projects range from improving wastewater treatment systems to preserving the environment. The investment will create jobs and contribute to local economies, a win-win situation for all Nova Scotians."

Through the Provincial Capital Assistance Program, the province contributes funding towards the cost of high priority municipal infrastructure.

"Improving and modernizing aging municipal infrastructure is a huge priority," said Aldric d'Entremont, warden of the Municipality of the District of Argyle. "That's why access to this funding is so important. It's funding we might not otherwise have had and it helps us work on projects that, while smaller in scope, are no less crucial than the larger, more visible projects."

Annual funding is limited, so applications are ranked according to factors, such as the problems the projects address. Requests for projects that eliminate serious environmental and health problems get priority.

For more information on the program and how to apply, visit www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/municipal/funding/infrastructure/provincial-capital-assistance-program.asp .

Following is a list of projects receiving funding:

• Municipality of the County of Antigonish: $11,750 for supervisory control and data acquisition equipment at the Gaspereaux Lake water treatment facility.
• Municipality of the District of Argyle: $22,000 for upgrades to the Tusket wastewater treatment facility.
• Village of Canning: $16,947 for improvements to its water utility.
• Municipality of the District of Chester: $40,000 for inflow/infiltration reduction
• Municipality of the County of Cumberland County: $135,000 for improvements to the Maccan wastewater treatment plant.
• Municipality of the District of Guysborough: $360,000 for improvements to Canso infrastructure.
• Halifax Regional Municipality: $2,000,000 for Harbour Solutions wastewater treatment facility.
• Town of Hantsport: $425,000 for water treatment plant upgrades.
• Municipality of Pictou County: $97,750 for the design of the Plymouth/McClellan's Brook sewer project.
• Region of Queens Municipality: $300,000 for the extension of the Brooklyn water and wastewater system.
• Richmond County: $150,000 for upgrades to pumping stations.