Released on March 26, 1999
Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing Minister Carol Teichrob todayannounced that $1 million will be directed toward strengthening water
and sewer infrastructure in northern Saskatchewan in 1999-2000.
In addition, northern communities will be able to access up to
$500,000 of the municipal infrastructure cost-shared program also
announced today, increasing the total amount of provincial funds
available for water and sewer infrastructure needs to $1.5 million.
The government commissioned a study of all water and sewer needs in
northern communities in the fall of 1998 which will be completed this
summer. This study is assessing existing water and sewer systems,
estimating the costs required of new developments and upgrading
current systems and recommending the priority of water and sewer
infrastructure needs.
"The water and sewer study now being conducted will provide a
comprehensive report on northern water and sewer system needs, but
there are always emergency and critical issues which need to be
addressed," Teichrob said. "This $1.5 million will be used for those
emergency and critical issues which may arise until the overall water
and sewer needs of the north are determined."
A steering committee, with representatives of the Saskatchewan
Association of Northern Communities (New North), northern
communities and the provincial government, is overseeing the
study.
Funds to support northern water and sewer needs will be allocated
on the basis of recommendations by the Northern Revenue Sharing
Trust Account Management Board.
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For more information, contact:
Jan Carter
Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1085