Lethbridge, Alberta, will receive $12.2 million in federal investment for several water infrastructure projects, including wetlands mitigation.
Yesterday, Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Maria Fitzpatrick, MLA for Lethbridge-East; Chris Spearman, Mayor of Lethbridge; and Reeve Lorne Hickey, Lethbridge County, announced that a new project in the City of Lethbridge and another in Lethbridge County have been approved under the Government of Canada’sClean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF).
The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding for the two projects—over $12.2 million. The City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge County will provide the balance of funding for their respective projects.
Minister Sohi said, “Projects like the expansion of wastewater infrastructure in Lethbridge will help the community better manage wastewater and runoff from severe storms, while the new reservoir and pump station for Lethbridge County will enhance the area’s capacity to meet water demands.”
In the City of Lethbridge, the wastewater project will include the installation of new sanitation, watermain and stormwater management piping, and wetlands mitigation work. The stakeholders stated that this project is critical for meeting demand in the city’s industrial park and will support future economic development in the area.
“We want to express our appreciation to the Government of Canada for the tremendous support it is demonstrating toward our region and our community,” said Mayor Spearman. “This investment will help Lethbridge attract more private investment and enhance our development as a food production hub.”
Rural residents in the Hamlet of Monarch in Lethbridge County will benefit from a second project, which will include a new reservoir to provide emergency drinking water services, new distribution pumps to meet peak hour demands, and a truck fill station to provide potable water.
“Providing excellent quality of life and sustainable infrastructure for our residents is of top priority for Lethbridge County. This announcement will allow Lethbridge County to construct a new reservoir and truck fill station in the Monarch area,” said Reeve Hickey. “The reservoir will ensure that residents will have an adequate supply of potable water for domestic purposes as well as fire protection, and the truck fill station will provide convenient access to potable water.”
These investments are part of an agreement between Canada and Alberta for the CWWF. These projects are in addition to the 17 CWWF projects announced for Alberta on September 1, 2016.
