Sylvan Lake is one step closer from beginning construction on their new wastewater line that would connect them and the Red Deer Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The town is receiving just over $37 million from the provincial government in Water for Life grants, a program designed to ensure a clean and reliable water source throughout Alberta for years to come.

It was all part of the announcement today where Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Brian Mason announced the government will provide more than $131 million to help fund 29 water infrastructure projects across Alberta.

Mayor of Sylvan Lake Sean McIntyre said it’s been a long time coming and says there’s a lot of excitement around the funding.

“For us it’s a very vital piece of infrastructure and we need to make sure we are dealing with our wastewater efficiently and effectively and that’s what this announcement means to us today.”

McIntyre added wastewater treatment is something people don’t often think about, but remains crucial to a healthy community.

“As municipalities, there’s a lot of work involved. We have to transport that effluent inside our communities, we need to treat that effluent and release it back into the environment safely at a quality that certainly isn’t harmful to our environment.”

“There’s a lot of work involved and this project will help us to do this more efficiently and effectively.”

Other projects that will benefit from the announcement include Shirley McClellan Regional Water Services, who will see over $1.2 million for the Donald to White Sands waterline providing regional water supply to the Summer Village of White Sands, as well as more than $2.3 million for a regional waterline to the Hamlet of Brownfield in east Central Alberta.

Alberta government believes over 900 jobs will be created through all the projects.