Richmond County Communities Receive Infrastructure Funding
SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Richmond County Communities Receive Infrastructure Funding
Hundreds of Richmond County residents will soon enjoy safer drinking water and a cleaner environment.
Improvements to Arichat and Petit-de-Grat's water treatment plant, and a sewage treatment plant upgrade for the Village of St. Peter's have been approved under the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program. The projects are valued at a total of $371,960.
Joint federal and provincial funding of $221,732 was announced today, March 5, by Barry Barnet, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and Member of Parliament Rodger Cuzner. The Village of St. Peter's and the Municipality of the County of Richmond will fund the balance of their projects upon formal acceptance of the agreement.
"Whether providing a community with a safer sewage system or drinking water, the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is working to improve our environment, and the safety of our communities," said Mr. Barnet.
One of the first priorities of the 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.
"The Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is one of the ways we are investing in green projects like these sewage and water treatment plant upgrades, designed to improve our environment and provide safe, high quality water systems," said Mr. Cuzner. "Building strong communities and improving quality of life is a priority for the government of Canada."
The Village of St. Peter's Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade project includes the installation of aluminium tank covers at the facility, preventing foreign objects from entering the treatment process, improving the look of the building, and helping contain odours.
"Two years ago, the infrastructure program helped us build this important facility," said Esther McDonnell, chair of the Village of St. Peter's. "Now the partnership is helping us make it even better."
Phase two of the Arichat/Petit-de-Grat Water Treatment Plant Upgrade project provides for the design and construction of an upgrade to the water treatment facility that serves 450 households in the area. The project is an extension of an earlier phase, also funded under the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program. The new facility will meet the requirements of the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour's Drinking Water Strategy and will effectively address water quality problems in the area.
"We are delighted to receive the funding to begin the second phase of this project," said Gail Johnson, warden of the Municipality of the County of Richmond. "This project will have some significant benefits for our community and a real impact on the quality of life of our citizens."
This is one of a series of approval announcements for projects under the program, which has invested more than $167 million in 113 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.