February 18, 2020
Province Invests in Clean Wastewater Infrastructure for Portage la Prairie
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE—The Manitoba government will provide more than $61 million to support the upgrade of the City of Portage la Prairie’s Water Pollution Control Facility, Premier Brian Pallister announced here today.
“The area around Portage la Prairie has seen new and established agri-business investments in the community, leading to direct job creation and ongoing population growth that is expected to continue,” said Pallister. “This investment will bring waste-water treatment for the city and surrounding areas into compliance with provincial and federal regulations, and will benefit Manitoba’s lakes and waterways. Our government anticipates the positive long-term contributions this investment will bring to the region.”
The City of Portage la Prairie owns and operates the Water Pollution Control Facility, a waste-water treatment plant that provides treatment for municipal and industrial waste water before it is discharged into the Assiniboine River. The facility also serves the region’s agri-business industry, which includes pea processing plants Nutri-Pea Ltd. and Roquette and a potato-processing plant operated by McCain Foods.
“Upgrades to Portage la Prairie’s Water Pollution Control Facility will modernize waste-water infrastructure for the local community, safeguarding the well-being of Manitoba’s families and will support the area’s growing agri-business functions,” said Mayor Irvine Ferris, City of Portage la Prairie. “Investing in the expansion of Portage la Prairie’s waste-water infrastructure provides an exciting opportunity to improve our environmental footprint and support the unprecedented economic growth in the area.”
The premier noted that historic partnerships with these major industry leaders in food processing have resulted in unparalleled investment to the province’s agricultural industry, creating jobs, establishing stronger markets for Canadian farmers and providing a significant boost to Manitoba’s economy.
The Manitoba government continues to deliver strategic investments in community infrastructure to help facilitate growth and improve quality of life in the province. By improving waste-water management, the City of Portage la Prairie and service areas will be better able to meet federal and provincial waste-water regulations and provide a cleaner environment to the area’s existing and future population.
Funding for the expansion of the facility is being provided through the Investing in Canada Plan. Other partners in the project include the Government of Canada and the City of Portage la Prairie, which are providing more than $60 million and $59 million respectively.
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2022, the premier added.
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