The Community of Victoria has received funding under the Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program for an emergency water well replacement project. The community received $45,000 through the program, cost-shared equally by the federal, provincial and municipal governments, to replace two aging wells associated with bacterial contamination of the local water supply. The project, which is nearing completion, represents an essential upgrade to Victoria's water system.
This important investment in "green" community infrastructure was announced today by the Honourable Wayne Easter, Solicitor General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Malpeque on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); Norman MacPhee, MLA for Crapaud-Hazel Grove, on behalf of the Honourable Elmer MacFadyen, Minister of Community and Cultural affairs for PEI; and Gary MacLure, Chair of the Victoria Council.
"This project has restored clean drinking water to Victoria, which is critical to the health of its residents and to the future growth and development of the community," said Minister Easter. "The Government of Canada is pleased to support the basic infrastructure needs of this community, which identified this project as its first priority."
"I am pleased that the Government of Prince Edward Island was able to assist the community of Victoria in providing safe drinking water for residents," says Norman MacPhee. "This project supports the municipal development plan for the community and meets current water standards which were not in place when the original wells were built, assisting the community in meeting the safety needs of residents now and for many years to come."
"The project involved drilling two new wells under current standards that will provide for safer drinking water. The new wells will provide the community with consistently good water quality and decrease the amount of chemicals required in the water treatment process. The infrastructure funding included some costs for well-field protection, which will help reduce the risk of future water contamination. This project will help facilitate expansion and development opportunities for the community," says Gary MacLure, Chair of the Victoria Council.
The Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program's first priority is green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective wastewater management systems and safe drinking water. This project in Victoria will support the program in achieving the goal of investing a minimum of 60 per cent of program funds in green community infrastructure projects across the province.
The Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program provides up to two-thirds of the eligible costs of community infrastructure projects. Communities provide the remaining one-third of project costs, making the program a unique partnership among all three levels of government, with infrastructure investments of more than $38 million in PEI over five years.