Powassan & Callander can look forward to improved H2O service

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

********************

The Town of Powassan and the Municipality of Callander will get additional help to ensure families continue to have access to clean, safe, reliable water and affordable wastewater services.

To modernize and improve the Town of Powassan’s aging infrastructure, the province is supporting the community to assist with the rehabilitation of its wastewater collection system. The work includes: adjusting the street grade to prevent surface water from entering the collection system; testing and sealing the entire system; manhole relining and rehabilitation; and debris removal. The project will improve the performance of the wastewater system and significantly reduce inflow and infiltration. The province is supporting the Municipality of Callander by assisting with the replacement of water metres.

Powassan is receiving $573,820 in funding from the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program, while Callander is receiving $185,031.

In 2000, Ontario experienced a tragedy because of contaminated water in Walkerton. Following an inquiry by Justice Dennis O’Connor, more than 120 recommendations were made and the government implemented every single one of them. Ontario has the highest standards for drinking water in North America and has gone on to develop water technologies that not only provide safe, reliable, clean drinking water to Ontarians but to the rest of the world. This has also benefited Ontarians by creating clean jobs and protecting one of our most valuable resources for our children and our grandchildren.

“This $750,000 investment in our water services will allow Powassan and Callander to upgrade water services, which are essential to improving the quality of life for the residents of Powassan and Callander. Our investments will also create jobs and economic development in our region,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing.

“Protecting our most precious resource remains a top priority. Ontario is committed to protecting our water through modern infrastructure so that our children, our grandchildren and great grandchildren continue to have access,” said Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure.

“We are very pleased to be able to improve our water infrastructure and that would not have been possible without the assistance of the province. Our community depends on clean, safe drinking water and this investment helps strengthen our ability to do just that,” said Hector Lavigne, Mayor of the Municipality of Callander.

QUICK FACTS

In total, Ontario will provide $50 million, over four years, to support water and wastewater improvements in small communities.

Municipalities, conservation authorities and Aboriginal organizations can now apply for Showcasing Water

Innovation funding to support community projects that effectively manage drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems.

The Ontario Water Global Leadership Summit is being held in Toronto on May 17-18

Across the province, the clean water industry employs 22,000 and generates $1.8 billion in sales.

********************