Government announces $4.2 million for Cape Sable Island wastewater treatment plant

This morning the government announced $4.2 million in funding for a wastewater collection and treatment system for Newellton, Centreville and North East Point.

Over the last five years Barrington council communicated with almost every federal and provincial department expressing concern over fecal coli forms that have raised the pollution level near the Causeway Beach and in East Bay high enough to close the area to clammers several times in the past few years.

" This has been on the table since Jan. 12, 1998 and for myself since the year 2000 when I came on council,” said Louise Halliday, warden of the municipality of the District of Barrington.

“It’s been something that’s been discussed and pursued ever since then so it’s good to get this news.”

The $4.2 million investment consists of a $2.1 million contribution each from the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia. The Municipality of Barrington will also be directing $2.1 million towards the project.

The new water collection and treatment system will mean about 375 households and 14 businesses will no longer depend on aging on-site sewage disposal systems. Their

wastewater will be collected and treated at a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility.

The funding is being supplied from the Communities Component of the Building Canada plan.

Council will be meeting to discuss details regarding construction of the facility and Warden Halliday said she hopes the project can get underway soon.