Funding for five water infrastructure projects has been announced by the governments of Canada and Alberta.
“Clean drinking water and effective wastewater treatment are essential building blocks of strong communities,” said Catherine McKenna, minister of infrastructure and communities. “Our investments in water infrastructure projects in Taber, along with the other projects we are announcing today, will make a real difference in people’s lives for years to come. They will also help support local economies. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger communities.”
Communities that will receive funding include:
- Town of Taber: A new C02 injector pump that will be installed in the Town’s water treatment plant facility.
- Town of Taber: An engineered wetland to manage excess stormwater during excessive rainfall will be built in the Town of Taber.
- Town of Taber: Canals attached to Taber Lake will be upgraded and a concrete spillway will be constructed to reduce future flood risks
- Raymond: The expansion of the wastewater treatment system will increase the treatment capacity of the Town to service the community.
- Brooks: The community will improve its ability to treat wastewater.
“Rural communities are an integral part of our country, and they have been impacted by COVID-19 in unprecedented ways,” said Maryam Monsef, minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development. “This is why support for community facilities like the new Acadia Valley Community Hall is so important to help communities stay strong, vibrant, and resilient. It is equally important that we continue investments in important water infrastructure, like the Town of Taber Water Treatment Plant.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $16.7 million in these projects through the Green Infrastructure Streams (GIS) and the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Alberta is providing over $15 million. Municipalities and communities are contributing more than $11.2 million.
“Building vital infrastructure is a key part of Alberta’s recovery plan,” said Prasad Panda, minister of infrastructure for Alberta. “Ensuring communities and organizations can get started on the planning and construction of these ICIP projects figures prominently in our plan to create needed jobs and boost local economies where it matters most.”