FCM’s Green Municipal Fund supports Prince Edward County’s Picton Wastewater Treatment Plant (07/08/2012)

Berry Vrbanovic, past-president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and councillor for the City of Kitchener, Ontario [TBC] and Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings, today announced Green Municipal Fund^TM (GMF) loan and grant contributions for the County of Prince Edward. The county put the $11 million in funding toward the replacement of the Picton Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"FCM's Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and services that specifically address the sustainable community development needs of municipal governments," said Vrbanovic. "The financing and knowledge provided by the Fund supports the development of communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable."

"The Government of Canada is assisting municipalities across the country in achieving their goal of a cleaner and healthier environment for Canadians through the Green Municipal Fund," said MP Kramp. "Today's announcement is another example of how our government - in partnership with FCM - is helping Prince Edward County build a greener future for our citizens."

The Picton plant pumps treated effluent into the Bay of Quinte watershed, which has been identified by the International Joint Commission as an "Area of Concern" on the Great Lakes. The previous plant, built in 1947 and expanded three times, had reached the end of its useful life.

The new plant, with a tertiary filtration system, will meet stringent effluent requirements and increase daily treatment capacity to 6,000 cubic metres. It can be expanded to accommodate projected growth in the town of Picton and adjacent rural areas.

"We are very pleased to officially open the Picton Waste Water Treatment Plant. The funding provided by FCM's Green Municipal Fund has enabled us to not only complete this much needed project but also supports infrastructure improvements in Prince Edward County," said Mayor Peter A. Mertens. "The residents of our community will benefit from the contributions of FCM and the new Picton Waste Water Treatment Plant for many years to come."

The Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $550 million to establish the Green Municipal Fund™. The Fund supports partnerships and leveraging of both public and private-sector funding to reach higher standards of air, water and soil quality, and climate protection.

Green Municipal Fund Maurice Gingues Media Relations Officer Green Municipal Fund Federation of Canadian Municipalities T. 613-907-6399 F. 613-244-1515	County of Prince Edward Robert McAuley Commissioner of Engineering, Development and Works County of Prince Edward T. 613-476-2148 x321	Natural Resources Canada Patricia Best Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada T. 613-996-2007 Media Relations Natural Resources Canada T. 613-992-4447