Humboldt and area stands to benefit from funding announced by the federal and provincial governments for investments in green infrastructure projects across Saskatchewan. A $45 million sum will be channeled to increasing the supply of safe drinking water, effective wastewater treatment and cleaner soils.
A release from the government announced the funds on March 16 by Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser and Saskatchewan Government Relations Minister Don McMorris.
"We are committed to supporting infrastructure projects that ensure communities can continue growing and thriving," Fraser said. "We will continue making investments such as todays for the health, wellness, and sustainability of communities in Saskatchewan and across all of Canada."
Humboldt will see funding go toward decommissioning the current landfill south of the city. REACT Waste Management has had a replacement landfill in operation in the RM of Leroy for several years. $379,827 from federal coffers and $316,419 from the province will go toward decommissioning the four remaining cells and the reclamation of the hilltop cells.
"Saskatchewan is committed to improving infrastructure and providing communities and their residents with the resources and funding to make valued and reliable upgrades," McMorris said. "The additional funding to make projects like these a reality demonstrates our commitment to growing communities and improving life for our residents, regardless of where they call home in our province. These projects happen thanks to the partnerships from all involved for the betterment of Saskatchewan both today and for generations to come."
Several other communities will also see infrastructure improvements. These include the decommissioning of landfills that do not adhere to environmental standards in the towns of Wolseley, Duck Lake, and Regina Beach, the Rural Municipality of Excel No. 71, and the villages of Beechy, Hodgeville, Mistatim, Rhein, and Wilcox. In addition, the Town of Eatonia will receive funding for wastewater treatment upgrades, while the Town of Gravelbourg will get upgrades to critical drinking watermains, protecting public health for generations to come.