January 14, 2016
Province Announces Funding for New Water, Waste-water Projects for Municipalities
The Manitoba government is extending its annual investment in water and sewer infrastructure an additional two years to allow Manitoba to initiate 29 new water and sewer projects with municipalities through the Manitoba Water Services Board, Municipal Government Minister Drew Caldwell announced today.
“Providing clean drinking water to communities across the province is a key element of Manitoba’s infrastructure plans,” Minister Caldwell said. “Municipalities have been telling us they want stable, long-term funding. The extension of this important program will allow them to access the resources they need to upgrade their aging water and waste-water systems. It also helps improve nutrient reducing waste-water systems.”
The Manitoba Water Services Board five-year capital plan is comprised of more than $38 million in previously approved projects and an additional $33 million for 29 new water and sewer projects. This is a total investment of more than $72 million, which includes $250,000 approved for the Town of The Pas.
“This commitment from the province will allow our municipal government to provide the necessary upgrades to our waste-water system without placing an additional financial burden on our ratepayers,” said Mayor Jim Scott, The Pas. “We are pleased that the Manitoba Water Services Board has extended its long-range capital plan.”
Today’s announcement was held in The Pas, where the town will receive $250,000 to conduct an assessment study and put toward subsequent upgrades of the town’s lagoon. The proposed upgrades will increase treatment capacity for future growth and reduce nutrients being discharged to Grace Lake.
The long-range capital plan is the result of the province’s commitment to extend the $84-million core investment in water and sewer infrastructure for an additional two years. The infrastructure will benefit from annual investments of more than $16 million, until 2020-21, the minister said. The long-range capital plan was approved by the Manitoba Water Services board of directors on Oct. 19, 2015.
“These projects are critical for allowing municipal governments to provide their ratepayers with clean drinking water for many decades to come,” the minister added. “I am proud that our government is focused on the core infrastructure that Manitobans rely on. We will continue to listen to the concerns of municipalities and work with them closely to address their priorities.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2016/01/RLS-BG-Wastewater-MG.doc