April 30, 2018 / For Immediate Release

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA – Today, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg broke ground on the first straight pipe replacement in the LaHave Straight Pipe Replacement Program. This project marks an important upgrade to the regional wastewater network, improving water quality in the LaHave River, and contributing to a cleaner environment in the District of Lunenburg.

“The Government of Canada is committed to maintaining clean waterways and a healthy environment across the country,” said Bernadette Jordan, Member of Parliament for South Shore - St. Margaret's, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “I am proud to see the LaHave Straight Pipe Replacement project underway. Together with our partners we are protecting the long-term health of the community for generations to come.”

The LaHave Straight Pipe Replacement Program is a green infrastructure solution that allows residents to have access to reliable water and wastewater services while safeguarding the health and well-being of the local waterway and ecosystem. Work involves removing up to 600 straight pipes that are currently discharging sewage into the LaHave River and replacing them with septic systems.

“The province is proud to collaborate with all levels of government to help restore the beautiful LaHave River to a healthy ecosystem,” said MLA Suzanne Lohnes-Croft on behalf of Municipal Affairs Minister Derek Mombourquette. “This is a great step to building a stronger, healthier place to live here and in Nova Scotia.”

“I am so pleased to see the work commence on the very first replacement,” said Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “We have received replacement applications for more than 114 homeowners with straight pipes to date. Through our funding partnership with the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, and homeowners, we expect to replace between 75 and 100 straight pipes this year alone. We are well on our way to making the Lower LaHave River straight pipe free by 2023.”

This project is jointly funded by the Department of Infrastructure Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Environment, and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
(902) 541-1328
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