Newly expanded water treatment plant now complete in Stephenfield

STEPHENFIELD, MB, Oct. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing in local infrastructure to ensure residents across the province have access to modern reliable water and wastewater services.

Today, Honourable Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, and George Gray, Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Dufferin, participated in an event to mark completion of the Stephenfield Regional Water Treatment Plant expansion project.

The project involved building a new water treatment facility complete with a larger reservoir and membrane filtration equipment. These vital upgrades have doubled the plant's treatment capacity, ensuring residents of the Rural Municipalities of Dufferin, Grey, Thompson and Morris, the Town of Carman and the surrounding region have access to a reliable supply of high-quality drinking water.

The governments of Canada and Manitoba each contributed up to $1 million to this project through the Small Communities Fund, while the Pembina Valley Water Co-op provided the balance of the $6.3 million total project cost.

Quotes

"We are investing in local infrastructure to provide Manitobans with modern and reliable services, recognizing that up-to-date water systems are critical to our economy and the entire region. These improvements to the water treatment system in the RM of Dufferin region will help to ensure local residents and businesses continue to receive clean water. The completion of this project will provide immediate improvements and help the community remain safe and healthy for years to come."

Honourable Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Midland

"The Government of Canada is supporting local infrastructure projects to help protect public health and lay a strong foundation for economic growth, middle-class job creation, and a sustainable future. With the completion of these vital upgrades, residents of the Pembina Valley will enjoy cleaner drinking water, stronger ecosystems and a healthier environment for years to come."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Rural water in the RM of Dufferin is one of the most significant ventures that has been provided for our ratepayers. I congratulate Pembina Valley Water Cooperative on their initial wisdom and planning and now on this state of the art expansion."

George Gray, Reeve, Rural Municipality of Dufferin

"The Pembina Valley Water Cooperative is pleased to complete the construction and start-up of the 'Stephenfield Expansion' as a means to provide quality drinking water to the RMs of Dufferin, Grey, Thompson, Morris and the Towns of Carman, St. Claude, Haywood and Sperling.  This project will support continued population growth and provide backup capability for disaster response for the RMs in Southern Manitoba."

Greg Archibald, Chief Executive Officer, Pembina Valley Water Cooperative Inc.

Quick facts

• The expanded Stephenfield Regional Water Treatment Plant was finished ahead of the anticipated completion date of December 31, 2017.
• The plant supplies water to four municipalities and four towns with a population base of more than 9,000 people
• The Stephenfield Regional Water Treatment Plant is run by the Pembina Valley Water Co-Op, which is owned by 14 municipal governments in Southern Manitoba and operates three water treatment facilities supplying water to a population base of approximately 50,000 people over  9,000 square kilometres. 
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $21.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375

Federal infrastructure investments in Manitoba: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/mb-eng.html

Small Communities Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada