The three levels of government are pitching in to fund the first phase of an expansion to the wastewater treatment plant on the south side of St. John’s Harbour.
The upgrades will increase primary sewage treatment capacity, and will include design and site preparation for a future secondary treatment facility.
The St. John’s Regional Wastewater Facility (VOCM News)
The federal government will cover half the $140-million cost while the provincial and municipal governments will each contribute $35-million. St. John’s pays 81 per cent of the municipal share, Mount Pearl 14 and Paradise 5 per cent.
Phase one will take about five years, and may cause disruption for residents in the area. St. John’s says it will provide regular updates, and has set up an Engage St. John’s project page which allows people to learn more about the project.
Mayor Danny Breen calls it one of, if not the largest infrastructure project the city has ever taken on.
He says it will make a significant environmental improvement to wastewater operations. As well, he says it will expand capacity at a time when the city is looking to build more houses and looking for other economic development opportunities. “So it prepares us for the future for the city and for the region.”
