Government investments bringing waste and water upgrades to Sask. communities

Federal, provincial and municipal governments have joined forces to bring waste and water upgrades to a number of Saskatchewan communities.

The $45-million investment will see two new solid waste facilities built in the northwestern region of the province with environmental protection in mind, allowing 18 non-engineered landfills to be decommissioned.

The locations for the new solid waste facilities haven’t yet been determined, the provincial government noted, saying that will happen after the design work is complete.

The new sites will include barriers to protect soil and groundwater, the governments said in a joint release, and will serve 23 communities: The northern settlements of Bear Creek, Descharme Lake, Garson Lake, Sled Lake, Black Point, Cole Bay, Dore Lake, Jans Bay, Michel Village, Patuanak, St. George’s Hill, Turnor Lake, the northern hamlets of Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, Green Lake, Île-à-la-Crosse, La Loche, Pinehouse, and Birch Narrows Dene Nation, Buffalo River Dene Nation, Canoe Lake Cree First Nation, Clearwater River Dene Nation and English River First Nation.

The funding also covers upgrades to wastewater treatment systems in the Town of Eatonia and water main upgrades in the Town of Gravelbourg.

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The money will also fund the decommissioning of landfills that don’t meet environmental standards in Humboldt, Wolseley, Duck Lake, Regina Beach, Beechy, Hodgeville, Mistatim, Rhein, Wilcox and the RM of Excel.

A pair of landfills in the RM of Bjorkdale will also be decommissioned.

“This work includes designing and constructing final engineered covers and conducting land reclamation activities for future use,” the governments noted in the release.

The governments said the projects will help to maintain clean and reliable drinking water, and protect soil from pollutants.

Of the $45 million in joint funding, just over $18 million is coming from Ottawa’s Green Infrastructure Program, while the Government of Saskatchewan’s share adds up to just over $15 million. The rest is covered by municipal contributions to their local projects.

Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s minister of government relations, said the projects will bring big benefits to the local communities.

“The additional funding to make projects like these a reality demonstrates our commitment to growing communities and improving life for our residents, regardless of where they call home in our province,” McMorris said in the release.

“These projects happen thanks to the partnerships from all involved for the betterment of Saskatchewan both today and for generations to come.”