SAINT JOHN, N.B. – The Saint John Harbour is officially free of untreated sewage after the final stage of the Saint John Harbour Clean-Up Project was completed Friday.
Anne McShane runs The Feel Good Store near the harbour and says she can now take pride in where she lives and works.
“I think it just helps the energy of the city it helps the pride of the people in how we speak about it,” she said.
The federal, provincial and municipal governments announced the completion of the clean-up friday afternoon. It marks the end of a plan that was approved by the city in 2006.
Under the old sewage system, some 200 swimming pools-worth of raw sewage were being dumped into the harbour every day.
The clean-up involved a series of projects to redirect old sewer pipes, that emptied into the harbour, to wastewater treatment facilities.
Now officials say the harbour is 100 per cent free of raw, untreated sewage.
The project cost about $100-million and Saint John Mayor Mel Norton says it was money well spent.
“We know Saint Johners love the waterways and this gives them true access to all the waterways in a way that was never possible before,” he said.
Residents say the work could also lure more people to the harbour front to enjoy walking trails and the city’s ocean environment.
“It makes it that much more appealing to enjoy the harbour and enjoy the environment we have around here and the assets Saint John has,” said Lori Lambert.
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