Government Of Canada And City Of Orillia Unveil Green Investments To Protect Lake And Increase Water Supply

March 26, 2008

Orillia, Ontario — Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today joined Orillia Mayor Ron Stevens to unveil two water infrastructure projects that will improve the quality of Orillia’s treated wastewater and provide 17 per cent more potable water for the City.

Approximately $2.65 million dollars were invested in a new UV disinfection facility at the Orillia Wastewater Treatment Centre and new technology to treat Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in Wells 1 & 2 water supply. Through the Federal Gas Tax Fund, the Government of Canada provided $650,000 to these projects.

“Effective modern infrastructure is needed to ensure the quality of life of Canadians,” said MP Stanton. “Through the Gas Tax Fund, we are providing real financial support to infrastructure that will protect the health of the people of Orillia.”

“These projects are about keeping our drinking water safe and protecting Lake Simcoe for future generations,” said Orillia Mayor Ron Stevens. “Orillia residents take great pride in the lakes and natural beauty that define this region and investments to protect those assets are investments in what we value most as a community.”

The new UV facility uses ultra violet light to destroy bacteria and viruses with 99.9 per cent effectiveness. This first-rate technology is reducing the negative impacts of municipal wastewater, protecting the health of Lake Simcoe, and improving quality of life for Orillia residents.

Upgrades to Wells 1 & 2 involve constructing a new air stripper facility, which will remove the Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) prior to sending the groundwater to the Water Filtration Plant for disinfection. This project will provide security of water supply and system capacity. Also, drinking water quality will improve and residents of Orillia will gain a dependable water system to help them continue building as a prosperous and thriving community.

Federal Budget 2007 committed $2 billion per year for four years, starting in 2010, in Gas Tax revenue to Canadian municipalities for infrastructure that supports cleaner water, cleaner air, or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In response to ongoing requests for stable, long-term funding for municipal infrastructure, Federal Budget 2008 commits to making the federal Gas Tax program permanent.

“The Federal Gas Tax Fund acknowledges that all orders of government must work together in order to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in Ontario,” said Doug Reycraft, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). “The funding is supporting hundreds of important infrastructure projects and is critical to Ontario’s competitiveness and environmental sustainability.”

Through its unprecedented $33 billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government is providing long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will focus on infrastructure investments that contribute to cleaner air, water and land.