‘We’ve been through a lot, so this is really good news for us’

Hay River’s deputy mayor says $20 million in federal cash for a new water treatment plant is the largest investment in such a project in the town’s history.

As the funding was announced on Tuesday, Keith Dohey celebrated it as the town’s “biggest and most important” infrastructure investment.

He said maintaining the ageing plant had become increasingly expensive, prompting council to make its replacement a top priority. Multiple applications had been made to Ottawa for help.

Now, the federal government is promising to cover about 75 percent of the cost of a new plant.

Dohey called that “recognition of its importance to not only our community, but to our region and broader territory. Clean and safe drinking water is a keystone for any community.”

“Today’s announcement is a step that helps to ensure our community and region will have both long into our shared future,” he added.

The town is seeking additional funding partners to cover the remaining costs.

The treatment plant serves both Hay River and surrounding South Slave communities. Nancy Norn-Lennie, a Kátł’odeeche First Nation council member, said the funding comes at a time when the town and nearby Indigenous communities need it most.

“Water is essential,” Norn-Lennie told Cabin Radio.

“We’ve been through a lot in terms of water and flooding and everything else throughout the years, so this is a really good news for us.

“Every year there’s uncertainty, so at least with a new water plant we will be assured that we’ll be getting good water. I’m very happy about that.”

The current water treatment plant, is more than 40 years old, has faced ongoing challenges treating highly turbid water during spring break-up and managing chemicals like THMs.

The new facility is expected to incorporate modern treatment technologies and a design described as climate-resilient.

In addition to improving water quality, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty – who is also the NWT’s MP – said the investment will support residential development over the next five years, including up to 140 new homes, 30 secondary suites and 30 units for seniors.

“This is an asset that’s going to be needed in our area. It’s definitely a regional asset, and it’s very important,” said Vince McKay, the NWT minister responsible for communities and infrastructure.

McKay, who also serves as the MLA for Hay River South, said he grew up in the town’s West Channel neighbourhood. Seasonal boil-water advisories and brown water have long been recurring issues in the community, he said.

Town senior administrator Glenn Smith said that the town originally applied to the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund for the cash, but could not meet that fund’s criteria.

When the Carney government’s new Build Communities Strong Fund was launched, officials contacted the town and identified the project as a fit, Smith said.

Hay River has struggled for years to fund big projects like this. Many other municipalities, in the NWT and more broadly across Canada, have reported similar concerns as they try to keep pace with their infrastructure needs.

Smith explained that while the town has a 10-year capital plan, up to $80 million of the spending in that plan is currently unfunded, meaning some of the work may be delayed.

The town says it is now exploring partnerships with neighbouring communities to help cover some costs.

As for the new treatment plant’s timeline, construction could start within a year but full commissioning is projected for the 2029 fiscal year.

Smith said detailed design, engineering and pre-construction work must be completed before finalizing a schedule.