Municipal Water Services Come to Little Salmon River
SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Municipal Water Services Come to Little Salmon River
Residents of the Salmon River subdivision in Cole Harbour will soon be connected to Halifax Regional Municipality water services. The project is being funded through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.
Joint federal-provincial funding in the amount of $1,266,666 was announced today by Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and by Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. It is one of six project approvals totalling more than $7.8 million,
"The government of Canada is working with Nova Scotians to build strong communities and improve our quality of life," said Mr. Thibault. "Communities across the province, just like Little Salmon River, are seeing the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program in action as we invest in green projects that will improve our environment and provide safe, higher quality water systems to residents."
Green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective wastewater management and safe drinking water is the first priority under the program. The majority of the federal and provincial funding announced in the first year is being directed to green projects, like the Little Salmon River subdivision water service extension.
"Delivering a safer and reliable supply of drinking water to the residents of Nova Scotia is a top priority of the program," said Mr. MacIsaac. "This project will help improve the quality of life for residents in the Westphal area."
The $1.9 million Little Salmon River project involves extending municipal water service to the 105-household subdivision, which currently relies on on-site well water. Existing wells are proving inadequate to meet the needs of the community. Completion of this project will assure higher water quality and provide for an adequate supply for the residents receiving the new service.
The federal and provincial funding under the program is subject to the formal acceptance of the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Halifax Regional Water Commission, which will fund the balance of the project.
"It gives me great pleasure to inform Little Salmon River residents that this project has now been approved," said Mayor Peter Kelly of Halifax Regional Municipality. "The community's water demands will be met as they benefit from the extension of the Halifax Regional Water Commission services to their area."
This is one of a series of approval announcements for projects under the program. To date, 51 projects have been approved during the first year of the program, representing an investment of more than $58 million. Additional announcements are expected as projects undergo environmental assessment and final approval.
The $195 million, six-year Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation is a member of the management committee. The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is represented on the program's management committee.