News release

Two Infrastructure Projects Announced for Pictou County

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

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Two Infrastructure Projects Announced for Pictou County


A number of Pictou County residents will soon be enjoying better drinking water and a cleaner environment. A waterline replacement project in Stellarton and a sewer upgrade in Riverton, worth a combined total of $683,140, have been approved through the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

A total of $455,426 in joint federal and provincial funding was announced today, Dec. 8, by Premier John Hamm and by Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The Municipality of the County of Pictou and the Town of Stellarton will fund the balance upon formal acceptance of the agreement.

"The projects we are announcing today for Pictou County are tangible results of the partnerships between our governments and communities," said Premier Hamm. "By investing in projects like these, we are making an investment in a prosperous future for Nova Scotia."

One of the first priorities of the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is "green" municipal infrastructure that ensures effective wastewater management and safe drinking water. To date, the majority of the federal and provincial funding announced has been directed towards green projects.

"Community infrastructure is a top priority for the government of Canada," said Mr. Thibault. "Through the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program, we are investing in green projects, like the ones announced in Pictou County today, that will improve our quality of life through safe drinking water and reliable wastewater systems."

The $269,455 Waterline Replacement project in Stellarton provides for the replacement of 1.34 kilometres of aging waterline on six streets in various locations throughout the area. This will effectively provide some 112 households with improved water quality and improved access to fire protection. Eliminating the need for water main replacements will also reduce the amount of water loss through leakage and will significantly reduce overall operating costs for the town of Stellarton.

"Clean drinking water and effective fire protection are more than just services, they are essential needs of Stellarton residents," said Art Fitt, mayor of Stellarton. "Projects like this one help us meet those needs and improve the types of municipal services that we can provide to our residents."

The second project for Pictou County, the $413,685 Riverton Sewer Upgrade project, calls for the design and construction of a new wastewater collection system to replace the existing line that is inaccessible for adequate maintenance due to misaligned joints and tree roots. Reduced infiltration will increase the reliability of wastewater collection and treatment services, and eliminate sewage backups and overflows. The new system offers the potential to connect more houses to municipal wastewater services, and benefits the environmental protection of East River.

"It's great to get the go-ahead for these projects today," said Allister MacDonald, warden of the Municipality of the County of Pictou. "Delivering efficient municipal services to the residents of Pictou County is our number one priority."

This is one in a series of approval announcements for projects under the program, which has invested more than $166 million in 111 projects to date. Additional 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. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation is a member of the management committee. The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is represented on the program's management committee.