After more than a decade of stops and starts, shovels finally hit the ground on the long-anticipated Water West Extension Project in the Rural Municipality of St. François Xavier.
On Thursday afternoon, under the watchful eyes of community members and local officials, Reeve Delmer Nott led the official sod-turning ceremony at the Belcourt Community Club, one of the facilities set to benefit directly from the new water line.
“It’s a glorious day for me,” Nott says. “I've lived in this area all my life. I have a deep connection to the RM, and this is a great opportunity for us. We know that the future is bright for the community and for the kids for years to come, so it is a great day.”
The project will bring safe, piped drinking water to the far western end of the municipality, an area that until now has relied on wells, cisterns, and water-hauling services. The new infrastructure will support both existing homes and future development.
“With this, we have a water line that runs from the east end of the municipality right through the west end,” he explains.
More than just a local upgrade, the $2.5 million project is being recognized as a significant regional achievement. It’s backed by the Cartier Regional Water Co-op Inc., the Manitoba Water Services Board, and the Government of Manitoba, which is covering roughly two-thirds of the cost through grant funding.
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The idea for the project first surfaced in 2009 but was shelved due to a lack of funding and commitment.
"It was put on the back burner, and we kept coming back to the idea. Finally, in 2019, we found an avenue to make it work. I truly look at it as a regional project, and I appreciate everyone for their support," he continues.
The sod-turning event was also attended by residents who had waited years or decades for this day.
“The residents are excited. Several of them have been in the area for a long time. They know the history and the challenges we faced to get this project on the ground, and they're here as good community members to support us in our endeavors," he adds.
While the project meets current needs, it’s just as much about building a sustainable future for the next generation.
“The future is in the youth, and we have to look down the road. The way I see it, there's only one thing more important than water, and that's air to breathe. We need to take measures to conserve and preserve our water in Manitoba, and across the country for the next generation, and this is a step in the right direction," he says.
With construction now underway, the RM looks forward to the day that taps run clear across the entire region, a dream long deferred, but now finally within reach.
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