The Manitoba government will be providing more than $61 million to support the upgrade of the water pollution control facility in Portage la Prairie, according to an announcement by Premier Brian Pallister.
“The area around Portage la Prairie has seen new and established agri-business investments in the community, leading to direct job creation and ongoing population growth that is expected to continue,” said Pallister. “This investment will bring wastewater treatment for the city and surrounding areas into compliance with provincial and federal regulations, and will benefit Manitoba’s lakes and waterways. Our government anticipates the positive long-term contributions this investment will bring to the region.”
The City owns and operates the water pollution control facility, which treats municipal and industrial wastewater before it is discharged into the Assiniboine River. The facility also serves the region’s agri-business industry, which includes pea processing plants Nutri-Pea Ltd. and Roquette and a potato-processing plant operated by McCain Foods.
“Upgrades to Portage la Prairie’s Water Pollution Control Facility will modernize wastewater infrastructure for the local community, safeguarding the well-being of Manitoba’s families, and will support the area’s growing agri-business functions,” said Irvine Ferris, mayor of the City of Portage la Prairie. “Investing in the expansion of Portage la Prairie’s wastewater infrastructure provides an exciting opportunity to improve our environmental footprint and support the unprecedented economic growth in the area.”
The Manitoba government continues to deliver strategic investments in community infrastructure to help facilitate growth and improve quality of life in the province. By improving wastewater management, the City of Portage la Prairie and service areas will be better able to meet federal and provincial wastewater regulations.
Funding for the expansion of the water pollution control facility is being provided through the Investing in Canada Plan. Partners in the project include the Government of Canada and the City of Portage la Prairie, which are providing more than $60 million and $59 million respectively.
