The Town of Riverhead, St. Mary�s Bay, will undertake an upgrade to its municipal water system with $130,741 under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).

"We are building stronger communities by modernizing our infrastructure. Canada�s new government is helping provide a high quality of life for all our citizens and protecting the environment," said Avalon Member of Parliament Fabian Manning on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Today�s announcement is a great example of all three levels of government working together for the benefit of the residents."

"Maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure is one of the most essential services a government can provide for its residents," said Felix Collins, MHA for the district of Placentia and St. Mary�s. "Our municipal water system is essential to the functioning of our people�s daily lives. This is welcome news for Riverhead, and I am pleased that our government has recognized and responded to the needs of this community."

This project will replace leaking curb stops and waterlines in the town, as many of the homes experience low water pressure as a result of the leaks.

"We expect that the benefits of this project would occur immediately after completion with increased water pressure and significantly reduced water leakage," said Mayor Gloria White. "We are pleased to be able to partner with the federal and provincial government to increase our water supply�s efficiency."

The federal government will provide $43,580, while the provincial share will be $61,449, with the municipality providing the remaining $25,712.

The $84 million, six-year Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador MRIF Agreement is administered jointly by the Department of Municipal Affairs, on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Infrastructure Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, acting on behalf of communities, helps set the strategic direction of the agreement and identify priorities under the capacity-building component of the agreement.

For more information on MRIF, visit //www.mpa.gov.nl.ca/mpa/mrifa/default.htm or e-mail MRIF@gov.nl.ca. For additional information on this and other infrastructure programs administered by the Government of Canada, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

Media contacts:

John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 690-2498 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

Julie Afonso A/Director, Public Affairs Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 709-772-2984

2006 10 27                              4:10 p.m