Good news if you drink the water in Blind River or Espanola

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

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Projects Approved under the Small Communities Fund

Residents of Espanola and Blind River will benefit from improvements to their drinking and wastewater management systems thanks to funding from the government of Ontario through the Small Communities Fund.

Espanola will see the replacement of existing sewer lines to limit ground water infiltration and reduce the wastewater treatment costs.

In addition, the water main's cast iron will be replaced to ensure cleaner drinking water.

The project in Blind River will include the installation of a new aeration system and improvements to the chlorination system that disinfects water.

In addition, the overall operation and control infrastructure of the plant will be upgraded.

By improving the efficiency and service reliability of the wastewater treatment facility, this initiative will help protect the environment and ensure the health and safety of residents in the community.

The Small Communities Fund provides funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs.

Through the program, Ontario is providing $272 million to support projects in communities across the province with fewer than 100,000 residents.

This funding will help address local priorities, support job creation and economic growth, and help local residents to sustain a high quality of life for years to come.

Investing in local communities is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up.

The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

"Our government is committed to funding priority infrastructure projects to help Ontario thrive. By investing over $130 billion in infrastructure over ten years, we are helping to create a stable future for Ontarians. Small communities are the backbone of the province, and we know projects like these are key to creating good jobs, growing the economy, and building a safe environment," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure.

"Today’s investment in Espanola and Blind River’s water and wastewater infrastructure will ensure safe, clean drinking water for residents for years to come. This is part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history, which will help connect regions, develop new economic opportunities and improve quality of life for Ontarians by supporting critical infrastructure projects in cities, towns, and rural and remote communities all across the province," said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is investing $1,856,503 in the two projects.
• The applicants will be responsible for a portion of the cost of their project.
• Ontario is making the largest public infrastructure investment in the province’s history — more than $130 billion over ten years, which will support more than 110,000 jobs per year on average.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Learn more about the Small Communities Fund
• Read about how the government is investing in Ontario’s infrastructure

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