Government of Ontario announces a $1.1 million investment for Port Hope and Cobourg to reduce sewage discharge in Lake Ontario and support solutions that will fight pollution and ensure cleaner drinking water for generations to come.
David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South and Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks was joined by Bob Crate, Warden of Northumberland County; John Henderson, Mayor of Cobourg; Bob Sanderson, Mayor of Port Hope; and, Laurie Wills, Director of Public Works at the Town of Cobourg to make an infrastructure funding announcement to build better wastewater systems in Cobourg and Port Hope.
“We know that critical storm and wastewater infrastructure is under pressure, and the result means sewage in Lake Ontario” said David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South. “This is why our government is making this crucial and much-needed investment to build the storm and wastewater infrastructure necessary to ensure cleaner water and tackle the pollution and toxic overflows facing our community.”
“I am pleased to see this significant investment made toward improving wastewater and stormwater management in Cobourg and Port Hope,” said Bob Crate, Warden of Northumberland County. “This investment will ensure Northumberland County has the sustainable infrastructure in place to foster a safe and healthy community, now and into the future.”
“We are grateful to the Province for investing $534,173 in Port Hope’s wastewater system,” said Bob Sanderson, Mayor of Port Hope. “This funding will be used to improve our wastewater and stormwater systems to lower phosphorus discharges, reduce the likelihood of sewage overflows, improve the quality of stormwater discharges, and enhance our environmental impact,” added Mayor Sanderson. “Upgrading wastewater and stormwater infrastructure is a priority for our Municipality and this funding will allow for continued access to safe and clean water for Port Hope.”
“The Town of Cobourg is beyond appreciative of this significant contribution to our infrastructure,” said Laurie Wills, Director of Public Works at the Town of Cobourg. “Often, stormwater management ponds are overlooked as a form of wastewater treatment.”
“This pond may not treat sewage, but it purifies the runoff from our streets, parking lots and driveways to protect our water courses and ultimately our source of drinking water in Lake Ontario, added Wills. “This treatment facility that is 27 years old, overgrown, and full of sediment can now be fully restored back to its original design function at half of the cost to our Town, thanks to the Ontario Government.”
The funding breaks down as follows:
· Cobourg will receive $576,689
· Port Hope will receive $534,173
QUICK FACTS
· The Ontario government is investing $25 million to build, upgrade and rehabilitate storm and wastewater infrastructure across the province.
· This investment includes dedicating $15 million to improve the aging and outdated storm and wastewater infrastructure in 18 municipalities.
· This funding will help modernize water management in these areas to make them more efficient and reliable, to ensure Ontarians can continue to access safe and clean water today and for generations to come.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Further information regarding the Ontario’s investment in stormwater infrastructure.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
