Reinstatement of the Canadian National Water Supply Program

History:
In November 2009, Council of the RM of Elton (Elton) was advised by Manitoba Water Services Board (MWSB) that Elton and the RM of Whitehead (Whitehead) municipalities had been approved for a rural waterline. We had been working on this proposal for a few years, but were moved up in funding due mainly to two concerns: Dungannan Estates in Whitehead was under a boil water advisory and was mandated to have a new water supply, and the Forrest Water Plant in Elton was at the end of its useful life. MWSB proposed the joint waterline to address two pressing concerns in the area.

As the proposed waterline crossed municipal boundaries, it therefore became a regional system. As such, MWSB was able to provide 50% funding. This increased level of funding then made it affordable to begin the rural waterline in Elton and Whitehead at a cost of $15,000 per residential connection plus surcharge for larger service lines. This waterline was installed in 2010.

In 2011, Elton was fortunate to be able to provide a small expansion to the properties located around Section 6-11-18 (along No. 10 Highway 1 mile north of No. 1 Highway and east 1 mile). These services, however, only received 1/3 funding from MWSB as they are now under the Elton Utility system line versus the regional system. Due to the higher number of connections, this project was still feasible and MWSB had some unallocated funds to make it possible.

Going forward:
Elton’s Council continues to work towards accessing joint federal and provincial funding. The federal portion of funding, however, ended when the Federal National Water Supply Program ended on March 31, 2009. Although this has not affected Elton in the installation of the regional waterline as explained above, it does provide significant funding challenges to enable expansion from this point onward.

As the map on Elton’s website shows (www.rmofelton.ca), there are four suggested phases. Phase 1 is expected to run in Elton toward Douglas due to water safety concerns in the Douglas Elementary School.

Additionally, there are rumours that a federal funding program may be announced for 2013, although this has NOT been confirmed. Elton is looking at ways to proceed with the necessary by-laws to be in a “shovel-ready” position should this funding be announced, which would hopefully increase our chances of accessing funds and enabling expansion. Should Elton be successful in obtaining Federal and Provincial funding, we hope to move forward with waterline expansion at or about the $15,000 connection cost.

There is currently no expansion timeline as this is dependent upon available funding. As is the case with most infrastructures across Canada, there are more demands for funds than there are funds available. Due to this, Elton’s Council has decided to proceed with a petition to forward to Ministers in the Federal and Provincial governments to encourage their support of the waterlines with the Federal and Provincial funding. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Please note: If you are already on a rural waterline, Council would greatly appreciate it if you would take the time to sign the petition to support other rural communities in connecting to a rural waterline.