Ministers Tour Bay Bulls Big Pond Water Treatment Plant

The Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs, today visited Bay Bulls Big Pond to view progress being made on upgrades to the water treatment plant.

"The Bay Bulls Big Pond Water Treatment Plant is one of many stimulus projects that our government is proud to have contributed to across Newfoundland and Labrador to create jobs and strengthen our economy," said Minister Merrifield. "To be here today to witness progress on this important project confirms our commitment to the rapid implementation of infrastructure development to create jobs now, while positioning Canada for long-term growth and prosperity."

"Our government is pleased to partner with our federal and municipal counterparts to invest in water treatment infrastructure in Bay Bulls Big Pond which, once completed in March 2011, will supply drinking water to approximately 160,000 residents," said Minister Hedderson. "The new system will improve plant operations, increase capacity by approximately 4.4 million gallons per day, and allow the potable water supply from Bay Bulls Big Pond to meet any changes to requirements for water treatment that may be prescribed under the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines."

The project involves the construction of a new building to house Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) process equipment. This equipment will allow pre-treatment of raw water prior to treatment at the existing plant. Construction of this new building will result in safer, healthier and more efficient water treatment, benefiting residents of the western part of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Conception Bay South and parts of Portugal Cove-St. Philips.

Funding for the Bay Bulls Big Pond Water Treatment Plan was originally announced on May 11, 2009. The Government of Canada is contributing up to a maximum of $11.7 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, with a contribution of $12.8 million from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The City of St. John's will provide $10.5 million towards the project. The total eligible cost for construction is $35 million.

As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan that the Government of Canada introduced in January 2009 to create jobs and boost the economy, the new $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, delivered by Infrastructure Canada, was introduced resulting in close to 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country. Funding was available for construction-ready infrastructure projects that would be completed by March 31, 2011. This initiative is structured to flow funding and get shovels in the ground quickly.

Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve their infrastructure. Both governments have agreed to work together to ensure that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently to municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information, please visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. 

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca . 

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2010 08 09                                                  1:40 p.m.