Waterlines, sanitary sewers and wastewater treatment facilities aren’t really something we think about day-to-day until they’re not working, and a dozen new projects have been announced in Saint John to keep things running smoothly.
Up to around $4.7-million has been announced by the federal government and $2.3-million from the province for these projects and the city will pay for the rest for a total of almost $9.4-million.
“It isn’t the sexiest, but making sure that when we turn the tap on the water is there, and making sure when we flush we’re not having a challenges or issues, it’s really continuity, quality of service,” says mayor Don Darling.
“I think it is one of those things we take for granted. The example I’d used if I’m driving my car I take for granted that there’s air in the tire, if there isn’t air in the tire and I’ve got a problem I wish that I would have filled it up.”
Some of the projects include the updating of 640 metres of watermain for businesses along McAllister Place and the modernization of the wastewater treatment facilities for the Morna Heights and Greenwood subdivisions.
“They’re the original small-scale wastewater treatment facilities that were developed as part of the subdivisions in this city. They’re approximately 30-40 years old and so they’re in need of replacement and so this will allow us, this money will allow us to complete these key infrastructure projects for the city,” says Brent McGovern, the commissioner of Saint John Water.
