The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have recently announced funding to upgrade the Town of Eastend's Water Treatment Facility.

They are each contributing more than $2.1 million to this project through the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects, representing nearly two thirds of the estimated $7 million total project cost. The Town of Eastend will be responsible for the remaining costs.

Jesse Gordon is the Mayor of Eastend. He explained why this new plant is needed. "Well, the original plant that we're using right now is from the 50's and our water source right now is the river. So we end up with seasonal changes in our water quality and then shortages of water from time to time, so this switching over to ground water is gonna get rid of that."

The work includes expanding the existing building over a new underground water storage reservoir, improving water treatment, developing and rehabilitating groundwater wells, and installing new raw water supply mains.

Mayor Gordon says it will take about a year and a half to finish the project. They will be tendering wells in the next few weeks.