The governments of Canada and Manitoba announced funding for Phase 1 upgrades to the regional wastewater treatment system in the City of Winkler and the Rural Municipality of Stanley.
This project, the first of two phases, consists of building a new mechanical wastewater treatment facility in Winkler, retrofitting the first of two existing lagoon cells, and adding two lift stations in Stanley. Approximately 45 kilometres of linear piping will be added to connect two additional communities—Schanzenfeld and Reinfeld—to the region’s wastewater treatment system. Once completed, the full system will meet both federal and provincial environmental requirements and provide increased regional capacity for wastewater treatment.
Driven by strong industrial, commercial and agricultural economies, the Winkler-Stanley-Morden region is one of the fastest-growing areas in Manitoba. Investing in the expansion of wastewater infrastructure in this region will enable continued economic growth in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $25.2 million in this project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Manitoba is providing over $21 million, and the municipalities of Winkler and Stanley are contributing $27.2 million combined.
“The Winkler-Stanley-Morden wastewater treatment project will ensure residents benefit from safe and reliable services while increasing capacity in the region for current and future development. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities,” stated Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and MP for Saint Boniface–Saint Vital.
“By improving wastewater management, the region can continue to expand and grow knowing that its new facilities will meet both federal and provincial environmental regulations, have increased treatment capacity and provide a cleaner environment for the area’s rapidly growing population,” added Manitoba’s Minister of Central Services Reg Helwer.
For the mayor of Winkler and Stanley’s reeve, it was a proud moment to see the Regional Wastewater project between the City of Winkler and the Regional Municipality of Stanley receive the required funding.
“This investment will allow this region further growth, and continued economic growth of our larger region. There is a significant amount of development momentum in our community—this announcement today will help us put the infrastructure building blocks in place to carry that excitement forward for future generations,” said Winkler Mayor Martin Harder and RM of Stanley Reeve Morris Olafson.
Featured image: Conceptual image of the new regional wastewater treatment plant in Winkler, Manitoba.
