The money continues to flow to Owen Sound.
The City has received a commitment of 30 million dollars in funding from the provincial and federal governments to upgrade the wastewater treatment facility.
(15 million each from the federal and provincial government)
The project is expected to cost about 45 million dollars.
The City didn’t even apply for the funding but gave information to local MP Larry Miller to keep the project top of mind.
The Bruce Grey Owen Sound Conservative MP says he pushed the fact that Owen Sound is the last community on the Great Lakes still with a primary level of wastewater treatment.
Miller says maintaining a healthy and clean environment is directly related to the health and prosperity of residents and a priority for his government.
Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners says they have a responsibility to ensure they protect the environment and this project will do that.
Miller says the ongoing political battles and election speculation will not have an impact on their funding commitment to the City.
An environmental assessment is underway to determine an expansion will be done at the current facility or a second facility will be constructed.
Councillor Bill Twaddle — the Chair of the Waste Management Committee — says there is nothing wrong with their treatment of sewage now.
But he says this will mean a cleaner affluent will be discharged into the bay.
Twaddle says the assessment should be done early next year.
Officials hope to begin construction within five years.
But Twaddle says this facility will last for the next 50 to 75 years and they want to do it right the first time and not worry about how fast it’s done.
Owen Sound’s share of the project is 15 million dollars and the cost will be covered through reserves, debentures and residents utility bills.
Unlike other infrastructure announcements — this project does not have to be complete by 2011.
The federal and provincial government has already invested over 2.2 million dollars to the current upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant.