Helen MacDonald, MLA for St. Eleanors–Summerside, on behalf of the Government of Prince Edward Island and Joe McGuire, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Government of Canada today announced a funding initiative to upgrade wastewater treatment capabilities in the City of Summerside. The project will cost an estimated $11.4 million and will be cost-shared equally among the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
"Wastewater treatment has been a challenge and a concern in the Summerside area for many years. Through this initiative, residents will soon be able to enjoy a clean, safe and beautiful waterfront area," says Helen MacDonald. "The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to be able to cooperate with the community of Summerside in this initiative which represents the final stage in a large scale plan to clean up the waterfront area."
"This project is vital to the future development and prosperity of the City of Summerside," said Mr. McGuire. "The Government of Canada is pleased to renew its long-standing commitment to the citizens of Summerside for strengthened infrastructure and the sustainable development of the city. This project is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to urban renewal."
Currently, the wastewater treatment system in Summerside consists of a primary treatment plant that has become outdated and no longer meets current standards. The treatment plant dates back to the 1970s.
The current standard for wastewater treatment systems in Prince Edward Island is secondary treatment with disinfection. It involves a biological treatment process that removes 90 per cent of the wastewater strength prior to discharge. With the upgrade to secondary treatment in Summerside, as well as upgrades to the Charlottetown treatment plant, all municipal, industrial and commercial wastewater treatment in Prince Edward Island will meet this standard.
A significant benefit of upgrading the treatment plants is that chlorinated effluent will no longer be discharged into Island waters, as other forms of wastewater disinfection will replace chlorination. Since 1999, chlorinated effluent has been listed as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Therefore, upgrades to the wastewater treatment plants in the province's two largest cities represent a major advancement in protecting fish habitat and recreational use of Island waterways.
Through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada continues to collaborate with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as with the private sector, to invest in strategic infrastructure projects across the country. Investments made through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund are directed to large-scale projects of major national and regional significance, in areas that are vital to sustaining economic growth and supporting an enhanced quality of life for Canadians. Under this fund the Government of Canada has committed up to $15 million for three projects in PEI.