Almost 500 households will have improved drinking water in Lower South River and St. Andrews, Antigonish County, thanks to funding through the Canada – Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

Federal and provincial investments totaling $1,213,440 for this project announced today will assist the design and construction of a new water supply, storage, treatment and distribution system for Lower South River and St. Andrew’s. Forty-four households will be connected to the water supply and 445 current households on the municipal water supply system will have access to improved drinking water. The Municipality of the County of Antigonish will provide the balance of funding for the $1.8 million project upon formal acceptance of the agreement and environmental assessment approval.

"Our new government recognizes and understands the challenges small communities face in realizing economic growth," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "That is why our Government is so committed to helping communities secure the infrastructure they need to ensure quality of life and stimulate investment".

"Access to clean, safe drinking water is important to the health and well being of Nova Scotians,” said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, on behalf of Richard Hurlburt, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. “Today’s announcement represents a positive step towards making our communities safer and healthier.”

The new infrastructure program supports community infrastructure improvements, such as water, wastewater and solid waste management.

“This is exactly the kind of investment that is needed to help us build a better economy and more sustainable communities,” said Hebert J. Delorey, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish. “The upgrade to the water supply will bring safer drinking water to households in the area.”

The $111 million, six-year Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities are members of the management committee.

For further information contact:

Deborah Bayer
Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Secretariat
902-424-0112

Alex Smith
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-830-3839