Montreal’s water and wastewater systems are getting an $84.4-million upgrade under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF), funded by the federal and provincial governments.
The aim is to ensure the waterways in Montreal and Montreal West are up-to-date and efficient.
The Canadian government is investing about $50.8 million, while the Quebec government is providing $33.5 million.
Of that, the city will receive $83 million to fix its water pipes, while the Town of Montreal West will get $1.4 million.
The municipalities are expected to fund any remaining costs.
“Water has always been a priority for our administration,” said Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre in a statement.
“Expenditures on water infrastructure have increased from $93 million to $261 million per year over three years, but this is not enough to offset the maintenance deficit that has accumulated.”
Officials insist the project will create jobs and help the economy.
“We will continue working in close collaboration with our partners to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments,” said Minister of Transportation Marc Garneau in a statement on behalf of Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi.
The funding is part of the Investing in Canada plan, which provides more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding to improve public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade and Canada’s rural and northern communities.