Environment and Conservation
August 30, 2011
Eleven Communities to Receive Potable Water Dispensing Units
Through investments from the Municipal Capital Works program and the Drinking Water Safety Initiative, 11 municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador have indicated their intention to construct a potable water dispensing unit which will provide residents clean and safe drinking water. A number of communities are also in the process of reviewing such a project.
“Clean and safe drinking water is a priority for the Provincial Government and I am pleased that these municipalities have agreed to partner with us to provide potable water dispensing units for their residents,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “These systems provide treated water for drinking and food preparation and are available at a low construction and operating cost.”
Municipalities with populations of 500 or less with drinking water issues are eligible for a provincial/municipal cost-sharing ratio of 90/10 for potable water dispensing units. These units are small-scale water treatment systems which pump and treat water from the municipal supply, store the treated water and allow residents to manually collect the water from a small shelter. The construction of each unit ranges from $325,000 to $350,000 and each has an annual operating cost of $2,500 to $3,000. The 11 communities to receive a potable water dispensing unit are: Fox Roost-Margaree; Isle aux Morts; Lawn; Leading Tickles; Makkovik; Mary’s Harbour; Point May; Postville; Rigolet; Seal Cove, Fortune Bay; and Whiteway.
“Our government has continuously shown its commitment to safe and reliable drinking water for all residents, understanding that different approaches are needed for a number of communities in the province,” said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “Working with municipalities will help ensure that we continue to determine appropriate solutions such as potable water systems, for communities.”
The Municipal Capital Works program of the Department of Municipal Affairs provides $6 million annually for clean and safe drinking water projects, such as potable water dispensing units. Also, in 2008, the Provincial Government allocated $2.9 million over three years to develop a comprehensive overview of water quality issues and potable water dispensing units were identified as a way to provide high quality drinking water to smaller communities. Currently, seven communities in Newfoundland and Labrador operate these units.
Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador included $140.8 million for new and ongoing municipal infrastructure projects. When combined with federal cost-shared programs and municipal contributions, the total investment this year is expected to be approximately $219 million.
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Media contacts:
| Ken Morrissey Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 685-6612 kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca |
Melony O’Neill Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-0928 moneill@gov.nl.ca |
2011 08 30 10:55 a.m.