ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, DECEMBER 19, 2016 -- The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are safeguarding public health and helping protect the province's waterways by investing in projects to ensure that water and wastewater systems in the province are up to date, efficient and meet communities' increasing capacity needs. These investments will also create jobs and lay the foundation for new economic opportunities to help strengthen the middle class across the province.
Pablo Rodriguez, Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced more than $14 million for 11 water and wastewater projects.
"These vital investments in Newfoundland and Labrador's water infrastructure reflect the Government of Canada's commitment to building sustainable communities that meet people's needs now and into the future," said Pablo Rodriguez, parliamentary secretary for infrastructure and communities. "We will continue working in close collaboration with our partners to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that help protect the environment and preserve public health, while paving the way for economic development that creates good jobs and strengthens the middle class."
The federal and provincial governments are providing a total of $2.7 million for eight projects through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF), which supports improvements to water and wastewater treatment, distribution and collection infrastructure. Together with the 134 projects previously approved under CWWF with the signing of the bilateral funding Agreement in July, 142 projects across the province will receive funding thanks to the new program. Among the work being funded are upgrades to the dam drainage system in the Town of Bay L'Argent, a new water main line in Trinity Bay North, and chlorination upgrades in the Local Service District of Port Albert.
"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador committed $44 million to Clean Water and Wastewater Fund projects this year to ensure residents throughout the province have safe, reliable drinking water and well maintained wastewater and storm water systems,"Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Dwight Ball, said. "Many significant infrastructure upgrades were made possible through strong partnerships between our government, the federal government, and municipalities, and we look forward to continuing those successful partnerships in the coming years."
A further $11.2 million in federal-provincial funding was also announced today for three water and wastewater infrastructure projects in St. John's under the National-Regional Projects component of the New Building Canada Fund. Work involves installing new sewer main lining to rehabilitate the Goulds wastewater collection system, and new water main lining to extend the life of the water distribution system in the areas of Empire Avenue, Cairo Street, Merrymeeting Road and Freshwater Road. A new large-diameter storm sewer will also be installed on Kenmount Road between Columbus Drive and Peet Street.
Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF)
The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund is part of Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's historic $180-billion plan to improve public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation routes and gateways that support trade, and rural and northern communities. Under this new federal funding program, the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are investing $2,713,281 in eight water and wastewater projects to ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have access to clean and reliable water sources. This is in addition to the projects announced with the signing of the bilateral agreement on July 7, 2016. The Government of Canada is contributing 1.53 million for the eight projects, representing 50% of the total eligible costs, and the province is providing $1.18 million.
