CITY OF P.O. Box 370 157 – Third St. N.E. Weyburn, Sask. S4H 2K6 Phone: 306.848.3236 | Email: [email protected] PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Fri., Sept. 15, 2017 For Immediate Release

WEYBURN RESERVOIR CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN, OTHER WATER WORKS CONTINUE

Weyburn: Today, the City of Weyburn is hosting a ceremony to officially kick off the construction stage of its new water reservoir project, and gave an update about its water meter and service line replacement project – two infrastructure initiatives funded in part by the federal and provincial governments.

“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in modern water and wastewater infrastructure that meets the needs of our communities while supporting economic growth and middle-class job creation,” said the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “These important projects in Weyburn will ensure that thousands of residents have access to safe reliable drinking water, which is crucial to keeping our communities healthy and livable now and into the future.”

“Building local infrastructure is essential to the long term growth in communities across the province. The Government of is proud to be a part of this partnership with both the federal government and the City of Weyburn. When governments can work together for citizens, initiatives like this can become a reality more easily and have significant impacts on everyday life,” the Honourable Dustin Duncan, Minister of Environment and MLA for Weyburn-Big Muddy, said on behalf of the Honourable , Minister of Government Relations.

“We are incredibly thankful to have received the funding from the federal and provincial governments. This funding has made it possible to accomplish huge infrastructure improvements to our water works with considerably less effect on City of Weyburn tax payers,” His Worship Marcel Roy, Mayor of Weyburn, said.

Construction of the new reservoir will include upgrades to existing water infrastructure, along with improved treatment procedures for Weyburn’s drinking water. The entire reservoir project is targeted to be completed by December 2018.

Weyburn also continues moving forward with its water meter and service line replacement infrastructure project. The city-wide water meter replacement portion of the project will involve upgrading about 3,900 water meters to ultrasonic water meters on a fixed network meter reading system. The other portion of the project will involve the replacement of 50 water and sewer service lines at residences and businesses currently made of lead. Work on both portions of this project is expected to begin in September 2017 and to be completed by March 2018.

Through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects program, the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are each contributing up to $5.3 million for the water reservoir project, while the City is responsible for all remaining costs, which has a total eligible cost of up to $15.9 million.

Through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, the federal government will contribute up to $2.7 million and the provincial government will contribute up to $1.3 million towards water meter and service line replacement project. The City will fund the remainder of the project. The total eligible project cost is up to $5.4 million.

WWW.WEYBURN.CA

CITY OF WEYBURN P.O. Box 370 157 – Third St. N.E. Weyburn, Sask. S4H 2K6 Phone: 306.848.3236 | Email: [email protected] PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

The City of Weyburn has awarded contracts for both projects, which has resulted in savings, and will examine options to allocate those funds to potentially complete additional related work.

Today’s ceremony was attended by provincial and municipal dignitaries.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Amber Wiggins Public Relations and Communications Officer CITY OF WEYBURN Phone: 306.848.3236 | Email: [email protected]

WWW.WEYBURN.CA