Investing More In Clean, Safe Water for Rural and Northern Ontario 

August 16, 2010 10:20 AM

McGuinty Government Ensuring Reliable Water and Wastewater Services

Photo Courtesy of OntarioNewsNorth.com, Hwy 17 West of Marathon

Ontario is helping families in small rural and Northern communities receive clean, safe and affordable water and wastewater services by increasing the third phase of the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program (OSWAP-3) to $50 million.

An additional $30 million boost to OSWAP-3 will help more small communities fix leaking pipes, install water meters and other projects that improve water conservation and efficiency in their water and wastewater systems.                

With this additional investment, communities are being encouraged to target projects that support conservation, improve efficiency and promote collaboration between small communities.

Investing in clean and safe drinking water for communities supports the province’s five-year Open Ontario plan. It also builds upon the recently introduced Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act by linking water and wastewater infrastructure to tangible improvements in conservation and efficiency.

• The program will provide up to $75 million in capital funding over the next four years to small communities across Ontario – $50 million from the province and $25 million from municipalities.
• Municipalities and Local Services Boards that own residential drinking water or wastewater systems serving 5,000 and fewer residents will be eligible to apply for funding.
• The proposed Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act will encourage the creation and export of innovative clean water technology, promote water conservation, and attract economic development. It is also designed to help strengthen the sustainability of municipal water infrastructure.
• Since 2003, Ontario has committed almost $1.8 billion in grants to help improve municipal water and wastewater infrastructure and almost $1.5 billion in affordable loans through Infrastructure Ontario.

• An OSWAP-3 application form, as well as a guidebook explaining program details and how to apply are now available on-line.
• Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program – Phase 3
• Learn more about how Infrastructure Ontario offers affordable loans to revitalize local infrastructure to help improve the quality of life in communities across Ontario.
• Learn how the Government of Ontario is helping to build and revitalize infrastructure across the province.