In the last four to six months, Southeast Saskatchewan has been blessed with two significant items: snow and government grants. While the snow has been cumbersome for most, investment in rural Saskatchewan has been more than appreciated. On January 11, the provincial and federal government formed a partnership to bring the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. The goal for this initiative is to further improve the aging infrastructure and bring their technology into the 21st century, so to speak. 

"The projects work from a national-economic point of view, in a sense that they will be job creators and introduce economic growth while they are being developed. However, where it matters is at a local level, as it will improve the quality of life, the livability of communities, their ability to prosper and attract people," expressed Ralph Goodale, the province's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. 

He mentioned that rural communities need "modern, state-of-the-art water works," whether it be a clean water supply or a wastewater treatment plant. 

Alongside twenty-eight rural communities, five towns and villages in Southeast Saskatchewan received funding for their infrastructure projects.

  • Village of Alida
  • Town of Carlyle
  • Town of Kipling
  • Village of North Portal
  • Town of Oxbow

"We have a number of communities that have aging infrastructure, so there's a cost pressure of renewing that in our current tax space and that they are small in size. Some of these projects become cost-prohibitive," added Donna Harpauer, Minister of Government Relations. 

"Yet, we believe as province that safe water and sewer removal is extremely important, so they are very happy to see that they share the cost of these project with the federal and provincial government."

She concluded that tackle the issue behind water and wastewater is so big that it will be a while until they've helped all of the communities needing an upgrade.