Middle
Musquodoboit
As
a result of the water system contamination and subsequent deaths in
Walkerton, Ontario, in 2002 the Province
of Nova Scotia introduced the Surface Water Treatment Standard which
required water treatment facilities in the province to achieve a new
standard of treatment. In the late-eighties when the existing facility
at Middle Musquodoboit was built, it was designed with appropriate
technology at the time. Although the existing facility generally
operates trouble free and produces good quality water, it does not meet
the new requirements outlined by the treatment standard.
To
meet the requirements of the standard, the existing treatment facility
needs to be replaced. The new facility will use membrane water treatment
technology, which provides an absolute physical barrier to pathogens in
the water. Water will then be disinfected using a combination of
ultraviolet light followed by liquid chlorine (also known as bleach or
sodium hypochlorite). The proposed work at the site will include an
addition to the existing building to house the new treatment equipment.
Once the new facility is online, the existing equipment will be shut
down and removed. Membranes are modular in nature and the designers have
provided space in the design that will allow expansion of the facility
if demand warrants it. The current system serves approximately 90
customers.
This
project will have a positive impact on Middle Musquodoboit because the
residents will receive a reliable
supply of high quality safe drinking water for years to come. At a cost
of nearly $2 million the project will be funded equally by the three
levels of government, each contributing approximately $650,000. Without
this funding partnership the cost of these upgrades would have been a
burden too heavy for local residents to bear. I personally want to thank
the provincial and federal governments for helping HRM and our
community.
Bo-Mont
Subdivision
The
Bo-Mont Subdivision water system is currently a private water system
serving fourteen homes. Upon completion
of capital upgrades, the system will be taken over by Halifax Water. The
system requires upgrades because of the age and nature of the water
treatment system at the Bo-Mont Subdivision, it does not meet the
requirements of the provincial Surface Water Treatment Standard.
Through
a combination of infrastructure funding and resident investment, the
existing system will be replaced
with a new system that will provide water with superior quality to what
the residents receive now. Preliminary work for the design of this new
system should begin shortly.
Musquodoboit
Harbour
In
2007 the Musquodoboit Harbour Visioning Committee in conjunction with
the local Rate Payers Association
identified the issue of water quality and availability in their
community. Regional Council provided funding of close to $50,000 to
commission a watershed assessment study. I am pleased to tell you today
that the terms of reference for the Phase II RFP for this project will
soon be going to tender. The successful engineering firm will be
commissioned to focus on the results of the watershed study and zero in
on the provision of central services for the core of the community of
Musquodoboit Harbour.
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Minister
Peter MacKay, Minister Karen Casey and
Steve Streatch
- Funding announcement of $2 million upgrade to Middle
Musquodoboit Water System
Steve
and Marilyn speak with
news
correspondent Chantell Hebert
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