May 03, 2005

STEINBACH—$2.3-million upgrade for the City of Steinbach water treatment plant will be cost shared between the province and the city, Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton, minister responsible for the Manitoba Water Services Board, announced here today.

"The water treatment plant in Steinbach is over 25 years old and is in need of major upgrading," said Ashton. "Improved water quality for the community is critical for enhanced public health and economic development."

The work includes a new iron-removal filtration system, a new building with computerized plant management and a data-collection program known as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition). The province, through the Manitoba Water Services Board, will share with the city equally in the $2.3-million cost of the project.

Plant construction will likely be tendered late this summer with completion in the spring of 2006.

Every year, the Manitoba Water Services Board provides about $10 million in assistance to upgrade water systems throughout the province to improve public health and enhance economic development opportunities.

"The improvements will bring a state-of-the-art water treatment plant to Steinbach and ensure a reliable supply of water for residents," said Ashton.

- 30 -