March 14, 2014
Provincial-Municipal Partnership Supports Two New Water Supply Upgrades in Dauphin
– – –$1.5 Million in Provinicial Funding Supports Dauphin Water System Upgrades: Premier Selinger
DAUPHIN—A partnership between the Manitoba government and the City of Dauphin will support the cost of a new water metering system and help with future upgrades to the water supply infrastructure, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today.
“As communities expand and grow, the water supply infrastructure must keep pace with the increase in demand for a long-term reliable source of safe water. The new meter system will ensure a fair distribution of costs based on consumption among those who use the water service,” said Premier Selinger. “The Manitoba government is pleased to partner with Dauphin and share the cost of the new $1.5-million water metering system.”
The provincial share of the new water metering system is $750,000 and the project is expected to be completed this spring.
“Improving infrastructure for water services is a key priority as the province and municipalities work together to improve and renew water systems in Manitoba communities, helping them to attract and retain families and business opportunities,” said Municipal Government Minister Stan Struthers. “That’s why we added an additional $10 million of new money in our five-year infrastructure plan for the Manitoba Water Services Board to help municipalities with projects like the ones we’re announcing here in Dauphin.”
The Manitoba government is also providing an additional $750,000 in a 50-50 partnership with the City of Dauphin to upgrade the pumping capacity, electrical and mechanical systems at the Brown Avenue pumping station. This project also includes work on the main water supply aquaduct that connects the city distribution system to the water plant located south of the city, replacing a portion of the treated water supply pipeline that has experienced frequent breaks. This project is scheduled to be completed in the 2014-15 fiscal year.
“Today’s announcement is a good example of municipalities and the province working together,” said Mayor Eric Irwin. “These funds will literally keep the water flowing and assure the financial health of the utility on into the future.”
The premier noted today’s announcement is part of the province’s new $5.5‑billion, five-year core infrastructure plan developed in consultation with municipalities, business, labour leaders and industry associations across Manitoba.
Highlights from an independent analysis conducted by the Conference Board of Canada project that Manitoba’s $5.5-billion investment in core infrastructure will:
- boost Manitoba’s economy by $6.3 billion,
- boost exports by $5.4 billion, and
- boost retail sales by $1.4 billion.
The board also estimates these investments will create 58,900 jobs and that each $1 invested in the five-year plan will benefit Manitoba’s economy by $1.16.
The five-year plan can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/pdf/five-yr-plan.pdf.
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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba and the City of Dauphin.