Fort Frances is being provided with an additional $1,389 in funding to help improve the quality of drinking water for residents, the province announced today.
The extra money will go towards upgrades that are bringing the town’s water treatment plant into compliance with the Drinking Water Systems Regulation.
The work includes construction of secondary containment facilities for soda ash, polymer, calcium hypochloride, and diesel fuel.
The project will result in improved drinking water quality for approximately 3,800 households.
Initial funding of $6,991 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. was announced in 2004.
“Clean water is an essential service northerners deserve to expect,” said Northern Development and Mines minister Rick Bartolucci, who also chairs the NOHFC.
“Renewing safe, reliable infrastructure is one way we are demonstrating our commitment to the future prosperity of communities in Northern Ontario,” he added.
Other ways the provincial government is improving access to quality drinking water in the north include:
•investing more than $33 million in upgrades to drinking water systems in the north since October, 2003; and
•hiring new full-time water inspectors, investigators, and other compliance staff province-wide to improve monitoring of water quality issues in our communities.
“We are on the side of northerners. That’s why we are helping the community of Fort Frances ensure the delivery of clean, quality drinking water to its residents,” said Bartolucci.
“Reliable infrastructure is the foundation upon which strong communities are built.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
