Residents in areas of Kings, Annapolis, Yarmouth and Digby Counties will soon have improved water, wastewater and solid waste management systems thanks to investments from the Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

Federal and provincial funding of more than $2.8 million was announced today by the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia. The municipalities will fund the balance of the project costs. The projects will improve potable water quality for over 1,800 households, and 2,400 households will have their wastewater treated to a higher level.

The projects in Bridgetown, Digby and Annapolis Royal focus on improving the quality of drinking water for residents.  These projects will help the communities meet new provincial water standards through new reservoirs, water quality monitoring equipment and replacement of water mains.

Work in Argyle, Bear River, Berwick and Kingston concentrate on waste water systems.  Specific elements of the projects include the upgrade of pumping stations, installation or replacement of sanitary and storm sewers, and extension of a sewage treatment plant outfall.

The first generation landfill in Meteghan is also being closed, with funding helping to install the final cell cover, and complete work on the site to minimize infiltration.

"Community infrastructure, such as improving our drinking water and waste systems, is a priority for government," said Chris d’Entremont, Minister of Health, on behalf of Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "These projects will contribute to the quality of life for residents, as well as protecting the environment."

“Canada’s New Government is working with its partners to get things done for the people of Southwestern Nova Scotia,” said Senator Gerald Comeau, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of ACOA. “The combined federal investment of more than $1,411,000 will strengthen the area’s community infrastructure and way of life”.

 

The infrastructure program supports community infrastructure improvements, such as water, wastewater, and solid-waste management.

"Our federal and provincial partners are responding to municipal infrastructure needs," said Russell Walker, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. "I’m pleased they are working with municipalities to plan for the future and better protect our citizens and our environment."

Today’s $2.8-million investment is part of the $111-million, six-year Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, which is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities are members of the program management committee.

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For more information:

David Harrigan

Media Relations Officer

ACOA Nova Scotia

902-426-4238

Deborah Bayer

Communications Advisor

Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Secretariat

902-424-0112