On November 25, the provincial government announced new funding that will benefit Niverville, the RM of Ritchot, and at least four other municipalities in the southeast.

Thanks to the federal Canada Housing and Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), $22 million has been allocated towards the Red-Seine-Rat Wastewater Cooperative (RSRWC) for a wastewater treatment plant which is about to undergo construction next year.

In 2024, the funding was offered to each province and territory willing to commit to key actions that would increase Canada’s housing supply.

“The cost of living starts with the cost of housing, and that means we need the infrastructure that lets communities build more homes,” says Premier Wab Kinew. “These vital water and wastewater projects give rural municipalities the capacity so they can grow, attract new families, and keep life affordable.”

In total, projects throughout Manitoba will benefit to the tune of $76.9 million from the CHIF grants.

Project beneficiaries outside of the RSRWC include the Brandon Water and Wastewater network, the Pembina Valley Water Co-op, the Boissevain lagoon, and the Morden sewer line to Winkler.

The RSRWC initiative was first announced in 2022. The cross-municipal wastewater treatment plant was a forward-thinking strategy developed by leadership in four municipalities all facing the same issue: waning lagoon capacity.

The original four municipalities partnering in this project were Niverville, Ritchot, Hanover, and Tache. Since that time, La Broquerie and De Salaberry have been on-boarded.

The shared treatment plant is currently estimated at $235 million and will include miles upon miles of effluent pipes leading from the plant to each municipality.

Without question, it’s a major response to a critical and widespread need in rural Manitoba.

“On behalf of the RSRWC and its six municipal members, we’re truly grateful for this pivotal provincial investment, supported by the government of Canada,” says Jim Funk, reeve of Hanover and RSRWC chairperson. “With construction costs rising each year, this support is vital to keeping our project on track and ensuring shovels are in the ground in 2026. We applaud the Manitoba government for listening to municipalities and investing in infrastructure that grows our economy and protects our environment.”

Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard says that the province’s focus on rural communities is a direct result of municipal leaders advocating to the province for their region’s success.

“These important infrastructure upgrades will unleash housing and economic growth in large and small municipalities across the province,” says Simard. “This is the critical infrastructure needed for communities to grow and thrive well into the future.”