Government approves investments in wastewater services across Canada

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI,May 31, 2017-- The Government ofCanadawill provide more than$180 billionin infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, water and wastewater services and transportation that supports trade toCanada'srural and northern communities. Several projects were announced last week, including improvements, upgrades and expansion to existing wastewater infrastructure.

Funding for the installation of a wastewater delivery pipeline fromStratfordtoCharlottetown, the removal of theEast Royaltylagoon, and the connection ofEast Royalty'ssystem to the Charlottetown Pollution Control Plant received $14,381,250in combined funding. TheStratfordproject will consolidate the town's wastewater treatment withCharlottetown'sand create one central wastewater treatment plant on the Hillsborough River. The Government ofCanadais contributing$5,462,500to this project and the Government ofPrince Edward Islandis contributing$2,731,250. TheTown of Stratfordwill cover the remaining project costs.

"In order for communities to thrive, they must have the necessary strategic infrastructure in place to support them," said PremierWade MacLauchlan,Prince Edward Island. "[This] announcement reaffirms our government's commitment to work with all partners to encourage economic growth while safeguarding our environment. These investments will open up further development opportunities along the capital region waterfront and provide residents with safe, reliable infrastructure."

InCharlottetown, the East Royalty Lagoon will be replaced with a lift station and 3-kilometer sewer system that directs flows to the Charlottetown Pollution Control Plant. The Government ofCanadais contributing$1,925,000to this project and the Government ofPrince Edward Islandis contributing$962,500. TheCity of Charlottetownwill cover the remaining project costs. For the final project to connectEast Royalty'ssewer system to the Charlottetown Pollution Control Plant, the Government ofCanadais contributing$2,200,000and the Government ofPrince Edward Islandis contributing$1,100,000. TheCity of Charlottetownwill cover the remaining project costs.

A$6.4-millionexpansion for theTown of Balgonie'swastewater system was also announced. The governments ofCanadaandSaskatchewanwill each contribute up to$1.5 milliontoward the project through the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component -- National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP). TheTown of Balgoniewill fund the remainder. The project includes expanding the existing sewage lagoon and irrigation system, along with related works, that will improve the overall wastewater system and benefit the environment. Once completed, the project will support economic and population growth in the community, providing services for 6,000 potential residents. Construction is expected to begin as early as this summer.

Additionally, a new project inPeterboroughhas been approved under the Government ofCanada'sClean Water and Waste Water Fund. The federal government is providing up to 50% of funding for this project -- over$2.6 million. The provincial government is providing up to 25 % of funding for this project -- just over$1.3 millionof total eligible costs, and theCity of Peterboroughwill provide the balance of funding.

"Building and maintaining high-quality water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure is an essential part of building liveable communities," said Jeff Leal,Ontariominister of agriculture, food and rural affairs and member of provincial parliament forPeterborough. "This announcement demonstrates the Province's commitment to partnering with municipalities in order to deliver the public infrastructure Ontarians need. I am pleased that these projects will contribute to enhanced quality of life inPeterboroughand the surrounding area for years to come."

Thanks to this investment, residents ofPeterboroughwill benefit from modifications and improvements to the Peterborough Waste Water Treatment Plant. Aging mechanical structures in the older primary and secondary clarifiers will be replaced along with other components crucial to improving sludge management and hydro consumption. This project is essential to keeping our waterways clean and our communities healthy and livable. In addition to this project,$24.7 millionin federal funding for 128 water and wastewater projects will benefit 47 other communities acrossOntario.