Municipal Affairs
August 8, 2013
Investing in infrastructure to deliver clean, safe drinking water is a key commitment of the Provincial Government. As a result of this commitment, two Potable Water Dispensing Units are being commissioned on the Burin Peninsula in the communities of Lawn and Point May representing a total investment of $678,000. Both units were officially unveiled August 7 by the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs, together with the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and MHA for Grand Bank.
“The Provincial Government has made significant infrastructure investments in rural Newfoundland and Labrador in recent years,” said Minister O’Brien. “Government is committed to ensuring that communities have access to safe and reliable drinking water, as is demonstrated through a $678,000 investment in the Lawn and Point May Potable Water Dispensing Units.”
Since 2008 the Provincial Government has committed over $50 million for more than 70 water improvement projects across the province. Under this investment, Potable Water Dispensing Units were identified as a way to provide high quality drinking water to smaller communities.
“This investment in water infrastructure will help in the sustainability and viability of these towns for many years to come,” said Minister King. “These award winning units provide state-of-the-art technology which will allow residents to collect safe and clean drinking water free of charge, whenever they need it.”
Funding for these two systems was included in Budget 2011 which committed $140.8 million for new and ongoing municipal infrastructure.
“The Town of Point May is pleased to see the Provincial Government investing in such an important piece of equipment for residents,” said Muriel Cousins, Mayor of Point May. “This unit will provide a reliable source of drinking water for our residents.”
Funding for these projects is cost-shared with the Provincial Government providing 90 per cent and the towns of Point May and Lawn each contributing 10 per cent toward their own system.
“The people of Lawn will now be able to rely on a new source for reliable, good quality drinking water,” said William Lockyer, Mayor of Lawn. “This investment will contribute to a prosperous future for the town, our families and residents.”
In 2012, the Provincial Government’s Potable Water Dispensing Unit Program was awarded Project of the Year in the small systems category, by the Atlantic Canada Water and Wastewater Association.
Media contacts:
| Hugh Donnan Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983 hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca |
Corey T. Parsons Constituency Assistant to the Honourable Darin King MHA for Grand Bank 709-832-2531 coreyparsons@gov.nl.ca |
Muriel Cousins Mayor of Point May 709-857-2640 janicehaley@hotmail.com |
William Lockyer Mayor of Lawn 709-873-2439 townoflawn@nf.aibn.com |
2013 08 08 10:15 a.m.