Governments of Canada and Manitoba support two Wastewater Treatment Plant projects

SELKIRK, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Aug. 5, 2016) - Infrastructure Canada

Canadians count on effective and reliable municipal services, such as water and wastewater treatment systems, to assure a healthy environment for their families and to sustain a vibrant and growing local economy.

Today, the Honourable Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba; the Honourable Jim Carr, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, and Minister of Natural Resources; along with the Mayor of Selkirk, Larry Johannson; and the Mayor of Gimli, Randy Woroniuk; announced more than $53.2 million in combined funding for two new wastewater treatment plants; one for the City of Selkirk and the other for the Rural Municipality of Gimli.

The City of Selkirk project will see the replacement of their existing ailing wastewater treatment plant, and improve the quality of the effluent discharged into one of Manitoba's greatest freshwater resources, Lake Winnipeg, as well as into the Red River. Along with improving the overall reliability of the wastewater treatment system, the new facility will increase its capacity, and serve the City of Selkirk, St. Andrews and Lower Fort Garry.

For the Rural Municipality of Gimli, an expanded and modernized wastewater treatment system will improve the long-term reliability and performance of the existing wastewater treatment system in this Lake Winnipeg beachfront town. It will also help to connect additional households in Gimli to the current wastewater system while allowing for future growth.

Both of these projects will help improve the quality of effluent that is discharged back into the lake, protecting the quality of the lake and enabling citizens and tourists alike to continue enjoying this valuable natural playground for generations to come.

Quotes

"These projects will allow the City of Selkirk and the RM of Gimli to treat their wastewater to the highest quality nutrient removal and ensure the long term health of the Red River and Lake Winnipeg. Our Government is confident these investments will provide value for taxpayers and have a significant environmental impact in their communities."

- Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba

"The Government of Canada recognizes that investing in infrastructure, such as water and wastewater treatment systems, is essential to growing the middle class and equips municipalities with the building blocks needed to support a high standard of living. By investing in new, more advanced wastewater treatment plants in Selkirk and Gimli, the Government of Canada is helping to protect our waterways, ensuring a healthy environment, and contributing to the high quality of life Canadians want and expect."

- The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre

"Being good environmental stewards is a priority in the City of Selkirk's strategic plan and a new Waste Water Treatment Plant ensures the effluent discharged into the Red River is environmentally safe. The new plant is an infrastructure improvement that will build Selkirk's economy and sustain the environment at the same time."

- Larry Johannson, Mayor of Selkirk

"Gimli has a long record of balancing the needs of the community while being mindful of the protection of the environment and more specifically Lake Winnipeg. Expanding our treatment plant will allow for sewer services to become a reality for many property owners located along the west shore of Lake Winnipeg. In addition, it will allow Gimli to be able to service future commercial and industrial businesses. Gimli is open for business and will be able to provide the services that new and current businesses require"

- Randy Woroniuk, Mayor of Gimli

"The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) welcomes funding from the federal and provincial orders of government for the City of Selkirk and the RM of Gimli. These projects will greatly benefit our members and improve quality of water and wastewater infrastructure in these communities. Our association will continue to advocate for a Fair Share and a Fair Say for municipal infrastructure for all 137 AMM members."

- Chris Goertzen, President, Association of Manitoba Municipalities

Quick Facts

• For the Selkirk Wastewater Treatment Plant project, the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba are each contributing up to $11,733,333 under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP), representing two-thirds of the estimated $35.2 million total eligible project cost. The City of Selkirk will provide the balance of the funding.
  
  
• For the Gimli Wastewater Treatment Plant project, the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba are each contributing up to $6 million under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP), representing two-thirds of the estimated $18 million total eligible project cost. The Rural Municipality of Gimli will provide the balance of the funding.
  
  
• The funding for the above two wastewater projects is in addition to what was announced on July 25 for 23 other community wastewater systems across the province under the Canadian Water and Wastewater Fund.

Associated links

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan

Federal infrastructure investments in Manitoba

Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP)

New Building Canada Plan

Have your say on infrastructure

To apply for infrastructure funding in Manitoba

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada