Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
Environment and Conservation
March 26, 2015
Strengthening and Enhancing Communities
Provincial Government Announces Five Advanced Drinking Water Units
The Provincial Government is cost-sharing an investment of $1.9 million for five advanced drinking water units. These systems will ensure residents and families in five communities will have good quality drinking water available for their use.
“Advanced drinking water units are an innovative way for rural areas of the province to access clean and safe drinking water. I encourage other communities to consider this viable option when evaluating their water infrastructure needs. Sustainable investment in water services is a high priority for the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
Advanced drinking water systems 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. These small scale water treatment plants with a low operation and maintenance cost are a viable and sustainable option for remote communities. Communities with a population of 500 or less are encouraged to consider this option for addressing water quality issues.
Projects being funded through this investment include:
- $400,000 for Fogo Island (Stag Harbour)
- $375,000 for Lamaline
- $375,000 for Cartwright
- $375,000 for Charlottetown (Labrador)
- $375,000 for Port aux Choix.
“The provision of clean and safe drinking water is a challenging responsibility for communities. The Department of Environment and Conservation, along with the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, is pleased to work with communities to meet this challenge. The Drinking Water Workshop, presently underway in Gander, is an excellent example of this collaborative approach.”
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation
With the construction of these five units, it will bring the total number of advanced drinking water units constructed in the province since 2011 to 25. The advanced drinking water units are funded on a 90/10 cost share arrangement with these communities.
In 2014-15, over $6.3 million was invested in drinking water quality-related projects including new facilities and upgrading of water treatment infrastructure and feasibility studies.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government is cost-sharing an investment of $1.9 million for five advanced drinking water units in the following communities: Fogo Island (Stag Harbour), Lamaline, Cartwright, Charlottetown (Labrador) and Port aux Choix.
- Advanced drinking water systems 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.
- With the construction of these five units, it will bring the total number of advanced drinking water units constructed in the province since 2011 to 25.
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Media contacts:
| Kevin Guest Director of Communications Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs 709-729-1983, 730-2320 kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca |
Jennifer Collingwood Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-8605 JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
2015 03 26 10:55 a.m.