Lunenburg Sewage Collection Project

Wayne Gaudet, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, announced today that $125,000 in funding will be provided to Lunenburg under the Provincial Capital Assistance Program (PCAP) for an important phase in its wastewater collection and treatment project.

The PCAP funding will be directed at one phase of a $6 million initiative. Ultimately, the town plans to use innovative, locally designed sewage-treatment technology to provide a cleaner harbour and a healthier environment for this historic area. This $250,000 phase will involve the installation of a pumping station and interceptor sewer on Knickle Road, as well as the installation of interceptor sewers on Tannery Road and Montague Street.

When the work is completed, two existing outfalls will be eliminated, and wastewater will be redirected according to the larger project plan.

"The Department of Housing and Municipal Affairs has been actively involved in assisting the town with its strategy for the preservation of this world-renowned heritage site," said Mr. Gaudet. "A clean, pollution-free waterfront is a vital part of this long-range plan."

Lunenburg Mayor Laurence Mawhinney welcomed the news. "This is another step along the road to successful revitalization of our waterfront-based economy," he said. "We appreciate very much the involvement of the provincial government in working toward that revitalization."

The department also committed $150,000 to the interceptor project under the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Works Program last January, and $100,000 was contributed to the design of the project under the PCAP in 1997.

PCAP is designed to enable the government of Nova Scotia to contribute financially toward the cost of municipal sewer, water, and solid-waste capital projects, as well as related studies.