Two small Ontario communities are the latest recipients of more than $2.5 million in infrastructure funding from the federal and provincial governments.

On December 17, the governments announced combined funding of more than $460,000 for the rehabilitation of a storm water system on Lakeshore Road in Wainfleet, a community located approximately 40 kilometres south west of Niagara Falls.

The project will increase the capacity of the storm water management system, minimize roadside erosion, reduce overland flooding and water infiltration into private septic systems. It involves the replacement of existing catch basins and two outlets to the municipal drains, as well as the installation of roadside erosion protection walls and drainage curbs to eliminate erosion. This will add additional storm water handling capacity to the system, enabling it to address instances of higher-than-normal rainfall that may otherwise cause overland flooding.

The federal government is investing $255,568 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing $212,952, while the Township of Wainfleet is contributing $175,400.

"Recent weather events in our township have demonstrated how important infrastructure is in protecting the residents and property in our community,” said Wainfleet Mayor Kevin Gibson. “As a smaller rural centre with strong agricultural roots, we have one of the most extensive drainage networks in Ontario and these essential works will play a crucial part in enhancing this vital system, as well protecting our lakeshore area businesses, roads and properties in the years ahead.”

The following day, the governments announced funding of more than $2.2 million for new water and wastewater infrastructure on King Street in L’Orignal. The upgrades will improve wastewater and storm water management systems and better protect local waterways for the residents of Champlain Township, a community located east of Ottawa.

The project involves the construction of 450 metres of new storm sewer and the replacement of an additional 250 metres of undersized storm sewer. The work will also involve the installation of 450 metres of watermain and relining 450 metres of sanitary sewer. New fixtures on King Street will include fire hydrants, valves, manholes, and catch basins for storm water run-off.

The Government of Canada is investing $1,223,532 in the project through the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing approximately $1,019,508. Champlain Township is contributing $830,947 and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell is providing $375,673.

"The improvement of our wastewater and storm water management systems is essential to our residents’ ability to work and reside here, and this protection of our local waterways is a critical upgrade to our region,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

The Investing in Canada plan aims to provide more than $180 billion over 12 years to public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. Nearly $27 billion of that funding will support green infrastructure projects. 

For its part, Ontario will spend $10.2 billion under the program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.