Backgrounder
Hamilton, Ontario, October 5, 2012 – Hamilton area residents and businesses are now benefitting from the completion of seven water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the region. These upgrades were completed thanks to joint funding from the governments of Canada and Ontario, and the City of Hamilton.
"These improvements will ensure that Hamilton and neighbouring communities continue to receive safe, clean drinking water,"
said David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Infrastructure investments are an important driver of job creation and economic growth in Canada, and I am pleased that these projects will support the health of local residents, while contributing to the economic future of the Hamilton region."
"Our government is making targeted infrastructure investments to create jobs, stimulate the economy and build stronger communities,"
said the Honourable Ted McMeekin, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Water and wastewater infrastructure is key to the health and quality of life of our residents and the environment. As a result of these projects, the Hamilton region will have access to improved and important services for decades to come."
"Through this fruitful funding partnership, Hamilton has been able to rehabilitate seven major water and wastewater facilities that preserved the original buildings while bringing them up to modern standards,"
said Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina. "This investment allows the City to continue to provide reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services to our community now and well into the future."
Through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the governments of Canada and Ontario contributed $28 million each toward six water infrastructure projects and $10 million each for upgrades to the Biogas/Digester Energy Recovery project. The City of Hamilton contributed the remaining balance of the total project costs of $131.8 million for these seven projects. Please refer to the attached backgrounder for more details.
As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund supported more than 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country, including over 2,000 key infrastructure projects in Ontario.
The Government of Canada has engaged provinces, territories, municipalities and key stakeholders in a series of roundtables to guide the development of a new long-term infrastructure plan that will support job creation, economic growth and prosperity. We have heard that we are on the right track: there is a need for strong, sustained investment and we must continue to work together moving forward. To improve infrastructure across Canada and ensure affordability and sustainability over the long term, our new plan will encourage greater use of public-private partnerships. This will help leverage new investments in infrastructure, while respecting the capacity of Canadian taxpayers.
These projects also support Building Together, the Government of Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province's roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Through Building Together, Ontario plans to invest more than $35 billion over the next three years to create or preserve over 100,000 jobs on average each year. Infrastructure investments create high-quality employment, support economic growth and helps make Ontario's economy more productive.
Horizon Utilities Corporation has partnered with Hamilton on a number of electricity retrofit initiatives. Since 2010, the City and Horizon Utilities have completed 38 projects, with a combined energy savings of more than 13.3 million kWh. Included in those projects is the Woodward Avenue Water Treatment Plant. Horizon Utilities facilitated a $2.3 million incentive cheque through the Ontario Power Authority's saveONenergy Electricity Retrofit Incentive Program to assist with the electricity retrofit at the plant. When fully operational, the new system will result in a 2600 kW demand reduction and a 20 per cent reduction in the station's annual electricity usage.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit www.ontario.ca/infrastructure.
Contact
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-070
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
416-327-7226
Kelly Anderson
Public Affairs Coordinator
City of Hamilton
905-546-2424, ext. 1430
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-Free 1-877-250-7154
Backgrounder
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Upgrades in Hamilton
WOODWARD AVENUE WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Woodward Energy Retrofit
Energy retrofits at the plant involved an energy optimization assessment and purchase of major electrical equipment with energy efficient technology. By reducing air pollution and energy-related greenhouse gases, these upgrades contribute to cleaner air and more sustainable municipal operations.
The governments of Canada and Ontario have each contributed $1.5 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward the eligible costs of this project. The City of Hamilton contributed the balance of the total project costs of $4.6 million.
Woodward Avenue Water Treatment Plant Upgrades
The complete rehabilitation of the water treatment plant enables the City to continue to provide safe, clean drinking water to approximately 480,000 customers within the City of Hamilton, as well as to customers in neighbouring municipalities.
The governments of Canada and Ontario have each contributed $13.1 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward the eligible costs of this project. The City of Hamilton contributed the balance of the total project costs of $39.3 million.
NEW FERGUSON AVENUE PUMPING STATION
The Ferguson Avenue Pumping Station was originally constructed in 1912 and had reached the end of its life cycle. In order to ensure a safe and reliable supply of drinking water, a new facility was constructed to replace the existing infrastructure.
The governments of Canada and Ontario have each contributed close to $6.7 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward the eligible costs of this project. The City of Hamilton contributed the balance of the total project costs of $24.8 million.
KENILWORTH PUMPING STATION UPGRADES
The Kenilworth Pumping Station is approximately 45-year-old and provides drinking water to portions of the City of Hamilton, including residences, hospitals, long-term care facilities and a number of large industrial users. Structural, architectural, mechanical, process and electrical upgrades were made to the pumping station.
The governments of Canada and Ontario have each contributed close to $2.3 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward the eligible costs of this project. The City of Hamilton contributed the balance of the total project costs of $10.1 million.
STONECHURCH PUMPING STATION UPGRADES
The Stonechurch Pumping Station delivers water to residences, hospitals and long-term care facilities. To prolong its life and ensure a safe, uninterrupted supply of water, structural, architectural, mechanical, process and electrical upgrades were undertaken.
The governments of Canada and Ontario have each contributed $1.5 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward the eligible costs of this project. The City of Hamilton contributed the balance of the total project costs of $9.8 million.
HILLCREST WATER RESERVOIR UPGRADES
The Hillcrest Reservoir is an approximately 80-year-old facility that provides portions of the City of Hamilton with drinking water. Key customers include residences, hospitals, long-term care facilities, a university and some industrial users. Structural and mechanical upgrades were undertaken.
The governments of Canada and Ontario have each contributed close to $2.9 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward the eligible costs of this project. The City of Hamilton contributed the balance of the total project costs of $13.2 million.
WOODWARD AVENUE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: BIOGAS / DIGESTER ENERGY RECOVERY
The Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant treats sewage for approximately 480,000 customers. Upgrades were made to this facility to increase biogas generation, with a goal to recover energy and reduce the amount of energy used and greenhouse gases emitted. This included rehabilitating existing digesters, implementing a sludge pre-conditioning process, and constructing a new gas purification process. This will result in a significant increase in biogas production, of which a portion will be purified and fed into the gas utility distribution network.
The governments of Canada and Ontario have each contributed $10 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward the eligible costs of this project. The City of Hamilton contributed the balance of the total eligible project cost of $30 million.
