THUNDER BAY – Four communities in Thunder Bay-Superior North will get more help from the Ontario government so families can continue to have access to clean, safe, reliable water and affordable wastewater services. Nipigon, Red Rock, Schreiber and Rossport will each receive funding to modernize and improve their aging infrastructures, as follows:
$315,512 towards installing system efficiency and optimization equipment in Nipigon;
$314,186 for Red Rock, to replace the plastic water line to Marian, and to install hydrants, and the wastewater line and lift station at the same time (because this area is at a lower elevation than the Waste Water Treatment Plant, the sewage must be pumped up to the nearest manhole);
$50,883 towards infiltration and leakage repairs in Schreiber; and
$6,160 for system functionality, efficiency and leakage repair in Rossport.
In 2000, Ontario experienced a tragedy because of contaminated water in Walkerton. More than 120 recommendations were made and the government implemented every single one of them. Ontario has the highest standards for drinking water in North America and has gone on to develop water technologies that not only provide safe, reliable, clean drinking water to Ontarians but to the rest of the world.
This has also benefited Ontarians by creating clean jobs and protecting one of our most valuable resources for our children and our grandchildren.
“I’m delighted to announce this additional funding to improve and modernize water and wastewater infrastructure in communities along the North Shore. Upgrades to our water services are not only essential to improving quality of life, but also create jobs and economic development for those communities,” stated Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North.
“Funding for large projects such as this, to improve the operations and efficiencies of any drinking water facility, is instrumental to make the project possible,” added Mayor Richard Harvey, Town of Nipigon. “This grant will allow the Township of Red Rock to replace an aging and leaking waterline to the Marina, install hydrants for public safety and protection and allow us the opportunity to install modern waste water collection services. These are all essential in maintaining a high quality of life and for future development in Red Rock,” said Mayor Gary Nelson, Township of Red Rock.
“The Township of Schreiber appreciates the Government of Ontario’s commitment to helping communities with their infrastructure costs. This investment will save money for the community and be good for the environment at the same time,” commented Mayor Don McArthur, Township of Schreiber