ORILLIA – An official ceremony today marked the completion of upgrades to the Orillia Water Filtration Plant. Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North; Lou Rinaldi, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Ron Stevens, Mayor of the City of Orillia, were pleased to see this important Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program project come to fruition.

The water filtration plant upgrades make an important contribution to the health and safety of residents in Orillia by ensuring access to clean, safe drinking water. The project included construction of a new clearwell, conversion of clearwell No.1 to a dedicated chlorine contact tank, installation of three ultraviolet units and backflow prevention, segregation of sanitary waste from the washwater tank, elimination of potential contamination of filters No. 3 and 4, construction of spill containment, and replacement of post-chlorination equipment.

The Government of Canada committed up to $2,648,002 and the Government of Ontario committed up to $3,085,070 to the project. The City of Orillia committed the balance of the project’s total eligible cost.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to have contributed more than $2.6 million for the upgrades to the Orillia Water Filtration Plant,” said MP Stanton. “Through projects such as this, the Government of Canada is investing in the strength of our people and our communities.”

“Over the next three years, the McGuinty government will invest an additional $21 million in education and early action to protect drinking water sources across the province,” said PA Rinaldi.

“This will include well and septic system upgrades, run-off installation and erosion controls, as well as promoting awareness and other projects, which will have direct positive affects for Ontario households.”

“With the completion of this project, our water system will be in compliance with Ontario drinking water regulations,” said Mayor Stevens. “Access to clean and safe water will benefit the health of Orillia citizens.”

Through the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program, the federal and provincial governments have invested more than $1.3 billion in 544 essential infrastructure projects across the province.