Several local towns will be swimming in powerful funding money in the near future, providing vital repair services for their water treatment and expansion projects.
Springside, Saltcoats, and Churchbridge are recipients of the Small Communities Fund, which provides financial aid for waterworks across Saskatchewan. The three communities were among 46 infrastructure projects chosen for funding in the province.
“Clean drinking water, efficient wastewater treatment, and safe roadways are critical to building prosperous and sustainable communities in Saskatchewan and across Canada,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, in a press release.
In some of the selected projects, government bodies will provide portions of the funding needed; local communities will need to foot the bill for the remaining chunk. In total, more than $53.9 million in federal-provincial funding will go towards water, wastewater, and road projects in Saskatchewan.
For certain communities, the financial aid came at a crucial time. Churchbridge is working on water treatment system upgrades, which will cost over $2.2 million. Carla Kaeding, administrator for the Town of Churchbridge, said the water system is long overdue for a touch-up.
“[We were told] if we didn’t do something with our water by 2022, we’d be on a boil-water order,” she said.
The Churchbridge project will take over two years to complete. It involves reservoir and drainage upgrades, a reverse osmosis unit, and a building expansion, among other things. Kaeding is pleased with project’s outlook.
“It’s good for the town,” she said. “It makes the community that much stronger.”
Saltcoats will also be upgrading its water plant, along with expanding its lagoon. The project is one of the pricier items in the province, costing over $4.3 million. It’s expected to be completed by 2020. Carling Sandercock, administrator with the Town of Saltcoats, thinks the project is important for the area.
“We’ve been meaning to extend our lagoon for a while,” she said. “Council, staff, and residents were extremely happy to get [funding].
“It’s very essential to have clean drinking water.”
Springside will be replacing its sewage system, which will cost over $2.1 million. Mayor Jack Prychak said it will take more than a year to complete.
“It’s going to improve the whole system,” he said.
A full list of project funding can be found at www.watercanada.net/small-communities-fund-supports-water-and-wastewater-projects-in-sk/.
