London's efforts to reduce the amount of untreated sewage getting into the Thames River during rainstorms are getting $20 million worth of help from Ottawa.
The federal government announced Monday that it has earmarked the money for improvements at the Greenway and Adelaide wastewater treatment plants.
"Record rainfalls and flooding are becoming more frequent in London, as they are in other regions across Canada, as a result of Climate Change," said London West MPP Kate Young. "The construction of these new flood barriers and effluent pumping stations at our local wastewater treatment plants will better protect our river, downstream First Nation communities, and Lake Erie from the impacts of severe weather events."
The work at the plants will include a flood barrier and improvements in effluent pumping. It's expected to allow the plants to better handle large increases of water during heavy rain.
"This important investment in London’s wastewater treatment plants helps us become more resilient to severe weather and protects our critical infrastructure from flooding along the river," said London Mayor Ed Holder. "By acting now, we can better ensure the health of the Thames River in the future for London as well as other nearby communities.”
The project is expected to cost $49.5 million, of which the City of London is covering $29.7 million.
