News Pricing & Finance Water Issues
Feds, province help Nova Scotia county make drinking water, wastewater upgrades

Pictou County, N.S. – Funding from three levels of government has allowed county residents to have access to clean water following a period of poor drinking water quality caused by geological conditions.

County municipalities will be better able to manage wastewater from the $17.7-million investment through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

“It’s not always the first thing we think of when we talk about growing and supporting our communities, but having modern, secure and effective water infrastructure is vital to their well-being and prosperity,” Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said. “This is a significant investment that will help ensure these communities have access to the safe, clean water they expect and lay the foundation for continued growth for years to come.”

A new water distribution system will serve Greenwood and Coalburn, communities that have been experiencing poor drinking water quality caused by geological conditions. This investment will extend the MacLellans Brook water distribution system to about eight kilometres, allowing the municipality to provide safer drinking water to about 195 properties.

Two projects in New Glasgow involve:

• separating combined sewers into a two-pipe network for sanitary sewer and stormwater to support future growth and development
• constructing a new water line on Abercrombie Road to replace a cast iron pipe installed in 1904 for improved water quality.

In Trenton, a new storm sewer system will result in an increased capacity to treat and manage wastewater and stormwater.

In Stellarton, replacement infrastructure for water distribution and wastewater collection will improve access to drinking water and capacity to treat and manage wastewater.

Of the $17.7 million invested, $7.8 million has come from the federal government while the province has provided $5.2 million. Municipal investments account for the remainder.