Harbour Grace to upgrade water, wastewater systems with $4.4M investment

The federal, provincial and municipal governments are committing more than $4.4 million to improve access to drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, as part of efforts to expand housing capacity in the region.

The joint funding will connect 29 homes currently on private wells and septic systems to the town’s public water and sewer network. The project is being supported through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), with the federal government contributing just over $2 million, the province $1.6 million, and the Town of Harbour Grace $823,000.

Officials say the work will both improve quality of life for existing residents and lay the groundwork for future housing development. “Upgrading water and sewer services not only improves quality of life for residents today but also lays the foundation for future growth and housing development, said The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister of Rural Economic Development.

Mayor Don Coombs called the investment a major step forward for the town’s strategic plan, noting that new infrastructure “will play a major role in the economic growth of the town and region.”

The funding is part of the federal government’s $6-billion CHIF program, announced in Budget 2024, which is aimed at building and upgrading core infrastructure to enable more housing across the country.