Released on July 9, 2008
Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff announced today that the Government of Saskatchewan will provide up to $2 million of assistance to help residents and cottage owners in the communities of Fishing Lake and Waldsea Lake repair and replace their damaged utility infrastructure.
"The home and cottage owners in this area have faced extraordinary challenges, first by the flooding of the area caused by record run-off levels and then by creation of berms," Cheveldayoff said. "The berms were the best immediate solution to hold back the water but they also left power, gas and telephone services vulnerable. Under regular conditions, customers would be responsible for handling the repair costs for this kind of damage, but our Government recognized that this was a unique situation which necessitated additional help."
The grant assistance, which will be provided to SaskPower, SaskEnergy and SaskTel by the Crown Investments Corporation (CIC), means that customers impacted by the flooding can have their utility services re-established at no cost to them. The Corporations will be responsible for interacting with the customers and having their internal costs reimbursed by CIC. Customers who have already paid such charges will be eligible for direct reimbursement by the respective utilities.
The total anticipated repairs to the utility infrastructure are expected to be $3.25 million, with SaskPower already indicating it would be handling the cost related to repair and replacement of the main distribution line.
"We recognize that there are continuing potential concerns with drainage in the area, but are optimistic that this one-time special assistance will help the area residents turn the page on a lengthy and difficult challenge with flooding," Cheveldayoff said.
To arrange for utility service connections or alternations, customers should contact the following:
SaskPower - 1-877-554-5503
SaskTel - 1-306-786-3455
SaskEnergy - 1-306-786-2387
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For more information, contact:
SaskPower
Phone: 1-877-554-5503
SaskEnergy
Phone: 306-786-2387
SaskTel
Phone: 306-786-3455