Some exciting news from the Premier regarding water treatment capacity in the Pembina Valley.
Sharing with the public for the first time during the latest episode of the Premier's Report, Wab Kinew announced his government has set aside another $2.5 million dollars for a planned expansion to the Pembina Valley Water Co-op's Letellier treatment plant. He shared the news after there was some initial disappointment locally for what appeared to be a lack of support for the effort in the Manitoba Government's latest budge, despite years of lobbying.
"There is money," confirmed Kinew. "We didn't spell it out because we haven't done the press release around it yet," he added with a chuckle.
"That is only a fraction of what the need is, I recognize that. But I hope people will that that's kind of like a downpayment to show that we're serious," asserted the Premier.
The Province is working with local officials and the federal government to hammer out the bigger-picture funding that Kinew says will be required to make the whole project a reality.
Engineering work has also started on a membrane plant expansion at Letellier.
"That plant is simply too small for the demands being placed on it," explained PVWC CEO Dale Toews in an earlier interview with PembinaValleyOnline. "It's currently rated at 86-litres-per second and we're looking to increase that by 66 litres-per-second in the short term and room for another 33 litres in the future."
The Board is looking to move ahead with that $25 million project as soon as funding is secured. $10 million has already been committed by the Province.
For Kinew, this effort is a priority, citing the current and potential economic activity in the region.
"There's so much manufacturing going on, there's so much ag and there's so much housing that can be built and we're going to unlock that economic activity," he said.
You can listen to the full episode of the March 28th Premier's Report below.