The Town of Placentia will replace more than five kilometres of aging watermains with the help of $6.6 million dollars in joint funding announced today in the historic former French capital of Newfoundland.

Officials say it will help the town improve its drinking water infrastructure and ultimately create a more reliable and efficient system.

Phase 1 of the project will involve work from the Roman Catholic church in Dunville to, and including, Fox Harbour Road.

Phase 2 will see replacement of a section from Fox Harbour Road to the end of the system.

The federal and provincial governments are each putting up more than $2.6 million for the project, while the Town of Placentia is contributing more than $1.3 million.