Featured
Ottawa lets funding flow for $20M Hay River water treatment plant
'Since being elected, one of the main concerns I've heard from residents ... is the need for a new water treatment plant,' says Minister/MP Rebecca Alty
A new $20 million water treatment plant in Hay River will strengthen access to safe drinking water, increase resilience to climate change, and support long‑term community growth for the regional centre and the Hamlet of Enterprise, K’atl’odeeche First Nation, and Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation (Kakisa).
Ottawa’s investment to replace the aging facility will also help eliminate boil water advisories, improve public health, and support new housing development, stated Minister of Crown‑Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty.
“Since being elected, one of the main concerns I’ve heard from residents in Hay River is the need for a new water treatment plant,” the Minister stated in a release, adding the new plant will also create new opportunities to build more homes, businesses and transform the region.
Hay River Mayor Kandis Jameson stated the new water treatment plant is an investment in the future of the region, and that, “reliable, safe drinking water is the foundation for healthy communities and sustainable growth.”
Last Fall, residents of Hay River, Enterprise, Kátł’odeeche First Nation and Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation (Kakisa) were advised to take precautions when using drinking water.
It was due to the identification of higher levels of disinfection by-products known as Trihalomethanes in the drinking water of those communities.
At a public meeting, residents questioned whether the town’s 50-year-old water plant was able to keep up with current demands.
A town official had said the Trihalomethanes levels weren’t directly related to the plant, but its age made resolving the issue more difficult.
Hay River’s water treatment plant is among the first projects to be funded through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.
Across the country, 13 projects are receiving funding through the Build Communities Strong Fund this week, totalling $300 million in federal funding, and more to come in the weeks ahead.
The Buy Canadian Policy will apply to infrastructure spending under the Build Communities Strong Fund to ensure that more public dollars go into the Canadian economy.
A recording of the announcement can be found at the Town of Hay River’s YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9dsppPkk4o
