Better drinking water infrastructure for Toronto residents - 17 kilometres of watermain to be upgraded across Toronto

TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada, Ontario and the City of Toronto are committed to investing in local infrastructure that ensures Canadians and their families have access to modern, reliable water and wastewater services that meet their needs. These investments safeguard the health and well-being of residents, protect waterways and preserve local ecosystems, while also laying the foundation for new economic opportunities to strengthen the middle class across the province.

Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Cristina Martins, Member of Provincial Parliament for Davenport, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; and Toronto City Councillor Ana Bailao (Ward 18 Davenport), on behalf of Toronto Mayor John Tory, today announced the structural relining of watermains in Toronto has been approved under the Government of Canada's Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF).

The federal government is providing more than $7.5 million of total eligible costs to this $20 million project. The provincial government is providing more than $3.7 million of total eligible costs, with the City of Toronto funding the remaining $8.7 million of the project.

Thanks to this investment, residents of Toronto will benefit from a project that will clean and install a structural lining to the interior of 17 km of watermain pipes, in 29 locations across Toronto. This project will improve water pressure, flow and extend the service life of these watermains at less cost than replacement. This will ensure that Toronto residents will continue to have a clean and reliable source of drinking water.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the CWWF.

Quotes

"Investing in water and wastewater treatment infrastructure is essential to maintaining a healthy environment and providing access to clean, reliable drinking water. The Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories and municipalities across the country to support important projects like upgrading watermain pipes in Toronto, which ensure that Canadian communities are healthy and sustainable now and for years to come."

Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Government of Ontario is pleased to support this important project in Toronto. We continue to invest in the kinds of infrastructure that keep our communities safe, provide reliable access to clean water, and protect our waterways."

Cristina Martins, Member of Provincial Parliament for Davenport, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure

"The City of Toronto is committed to making smart investments to renew our infrastructure. The technology of relining watermains to extend the service life means clean reliable water for our residents and businesses while keeping both infrastructure costs and traffic – as well as other construction related disruption – all to a minimum. We appreciate the support of our Provincial and Federal partners and their commitment to important infrastructure projects like this."

Toronto City Councillor Ana Bailao (Ward 18 Davenport), on behalf of Toronto Mayor John Tory

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $21.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.
• The City of Toronto has a $39.5 billion 10-year Capital Budget and Plan, which prioritizes investment in key city building initiatives that support Toronto's growth and maintain infrastructure in a state of good repair.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html

The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cwwf/cwwf-program-programme-eng.html.

Build ON 2017 Infrastructure Update: https://www.ontario.ca/page/buildon-2017-infrastructure-update

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; Alex Benac, Minister's Office, Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure, 416-326-2137, [email protected]; Kazia Fraser, Strategic Communications, City of Toronto, 416-392-4310, 416-660-0784, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/