It doesn’t appear the federal government’s new Clean Water and Wastewater (CWWF) fund will be providing the solution to the township’s wastewater capacity woes.
In the 2016 federal budget, the Liberal government announced the establishment of a fund to invest up to $569.6 million in the province of Ontario for immediate improvements to water distribution and treatment infrastructure starting in 2016-17.
In a Sept. 14 letter, the provincial Ministry of Infrastructure advised the township that Mapleton will be eligible to receive a maximum federal allocation of $58,509 and a maximum provincial allocation of $29,255 for projects under the program.
CWWF funds are designated to help accelerate short-term investments to support the rehabilitation and modernization of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and the planning and design of future facilities and upgrades to existing systems.
The federal government will contribute 50% of the eligible project costs, up to the maximum federal allocation, while the province will contribute 25% of eligible project costs, up to its maximum allocation.
Projects must be complete with all costs incurred prior to March 31, 2018. Where need is demonstrated, up to 25% of costs can extend beyond the deadline, the ministry states in its letter.
CAO Brad McRoberts said the funding level was not what he had anticipated when the program was originally announced.
“It’s not what I had hoped,” said McRoberts. “On a $6.5-million project it might cover our portion of the HST.
Mayor Neil Driscoll asked council for authorization to “craft a response” in conjunction with the CAO indicating appreciation for the funds allocated, but that the numbers fall short of Mapleton’s requirements.
“We need these funds for growth and so our community can carry on,” said Driscoll.
Council authorized the preparation of a response.
