WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DEDICATION CEREMONY

A ceremony was held today in Swift Current to recognize the construction of a new $15 million wastewater treatment plant. The state-of-the-art facility, funded through the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program (CSIP), will reduce organic matter, solids, nutrients, disease-causing organisms and other pollutants found in wastewater before it is discharged back into the environment.

The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan each contributed $627,000 to the project. The City of Swift Current provided the balance of $13,750,000.

"Investing in green projects is important to the Government of Canada," said Federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "This new wastewater treatment plant, using a biological nutrient removal system, is good both for the people of the city and for the environment."

"The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to grow and develop our province in a fiscally responsible, environmentally-focused manner," Government Relations Minister Len Taylor said. "Our $627,000 investment in the Swift Current wastewater facility is an investment in the future sustainability of our communities and our environment."

"The concept of a new treatment plant has been discussed for many years. Through this federal, provincial and municipal partnership, we have turned our vision into reality," Swift Current Mayor Sandy Larson said. "The $13.75 million investment made by our citizens, coupled with the support of CSIP, reinforces our commitment to the environment, to the growth and development of our city, and to meeting the future needs of our citizens."

Through the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program, the federal and provincial governments and Saskatchewan municipalities invested $264 million in over 404 projects in 298 Saskatchewan communities.

The first priority for infrastructure investment through the CSIP was green municipal projects such as water and wastewater developments and upgrades, solid waste management and recycling, and improving the energy efficiency of buildings owned by municipal governments. In total 303 green projects were funded under the CSIP for a total federal-provincial investment of $77 million.

Before receiving final approval, community projects underwent a review process under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program is fully subscribed. Saskatchewan municipalities seeking federal and/or provincial government funding for other infrastructure projects should contact the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Secretariat at (306) 787-7414 or www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/mrd/prosimsi.shtml.

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For More Information, Contact:

Maureen Boyle Government Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-5959	Joanne Mysak Western Economic Diversification Saskatoon Phone: (306) 975-5942
Robert Niewenhuizen City of Swift Current Swift Current Phone: (306) 778-2740