Glace Bay Water Plant Receives Funds

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS Glace Bay Water Plant Receives Funds

Residents in Glace Bay and surrounding areas will soon see improvements in their water system with a water treatment plant construction project, funded by the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

Joint funding, in the amount of $4,970,000, was announced today as one of 22 project approvals totalling more than $21.8 million. The announcement was made by Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras d'Or Cape Breton, on behalf of Robert G. Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and by Angus MacIssac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

"The Government of Canada is building strong communities and improving our quality of life," said Mr. Cuzner. "Through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program, we're making an investment that will bring a higher quality of drinking water to Glace Bay."

Green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective wastewater management and safe drinking water is the first priority under the program. The majority of the federal and provincial funding announced in Year One will be directed to green projects like the Glace Bay and Area Water Treatment project.

"Whether providing a community with safe drinking water or building a safer sewage system, the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is working to improve the condition of our environment," said Mr. MacIsaac.

The $7.455 million Glace Bay and Area Water Treatment project will be designed to provide 30,000 area residents with high- quality water to meet increasing water-quality demands. The assurance of fully treated potable water will be a great improvement for Glace Bay residents.

The federal and provincial funding under the Program is subject to the formal acceptance of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, which will fund the balance of project costs.

"The federal/provincial announcement to contribute to the funding of the Glace Bay water treatment facility is a significant step in enabling Cape Breton Regional Municipality to complete its five-year plan," said Mayor John W. Morgan.

This is the first in a series of approval announcements for projects nominated by municipalities under the program. Further announcements are expected as projects undergo environmental assessment and final approval.

The $195 million, six-year Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is represented on the program's management committee.

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