The Ontario government is spending $14 million to upgrade water infrastructure in Lanark and Frontenac counties. Premier Doug Ford was in Smiths Falls on Friday to make the announcement. The province says the Town of Smiths Falls will receive more than $13 million toward new water mains and sewers to improve water service for nearly 1,400 homes. The Township of North Frontenac will receive $1 million to repair and expand the stormwater system in the village of Plevna. The funding is part of an $875-million infrastructure program to improve drinking water, stormwater and sewer systems provincewide. The province says 127 municipalities and First Nations are benefitting from the funding. Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow says the money will go toward replacing 1.9 kilometres of aging and undersized pipes. “By replacing 1.9 kilometres of aged and undersized water infrastructure, we are securing vital water capacity for every home and business in town and adequate hydraulic pressure for our fire suppression needs. This project will also secure additional wastewater capacity for our growing community,” Pankow said in a news release. The work in Smiths Falls is linked to the new water tower. A report for town council says the preferred route for the water main would run from Chambers Street at Empress Avenue to the new tower on Air Care Drive. The town’s portion of the cost would be $4.9 million. Ford says the money will also support the construction of new homes in the region. “Today’s investment will protect homeowners and support the construction of new homes across Lanark and Frontenac counties. We will continue to work with our municipal partners to build for the future and keep the dream of homeownership alive in Ontario,” Ford said.
