It was announced Tuesday morning that the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant will be getting some much needed upgrades thanks to the government. 

The Provincial and Federal governments announced 20 million dollars in funding for the electrical work needed at the facility, which is projected to cost over 30 million dollars. The remainder of finances will be covered by the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Cooperation. 

"These vital upgrades to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant will ensure residents of Regina and Moose Jaw have an uninterrupted supply of high-quality drinking water for years to come,” said Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale in a statement.  “Canada’s investment in this project underlines our commitment to protecting public health and our quality of life, all while bolstering economic growth and a strong middle class."

“The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation is extremely pleased with this funding announcement of financial support by the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan for the Electrical Capital Upgrades Project,” Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation Board Chair Dale Schoffer said in a statement released by the government. “These funds will be used to replace electrical infrastructure that has reached the end of its life and increases the reliability of the supply of potable water to the Cities of Regina and Moose Jaw and the Region we serve.”

The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corperation is owned by the City of Moose Jaw and Regina and is a non-profit organization. The water treatment facility provides water to both cities. 

"I'm very happy with the province and the federal governments collaborating with both the city of Moose Jaw and the city of Regina to announce a $20.6 million dollar funding for electrical upgrades for the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant" said Moose Jaw Mayor Fraser Tolmie; "My understanding is, I believe the term is soft push, so it wouldn't be that as soon as the pumps are turned on there isn't a huge jet flow. Also I believe the power consumption of these pumps, because they're more modern, are more efficient"

This funding is a piece of the 'Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan," which is providing various projects 180 billion dollars in funding over 12 years. 

"Obviously we're going to maintain conversations" continued Tolmie,  "Not only with the city of Regina, but we're also going to continue conversations with the province and the federal government . It would be important for both of our communities to be able to get federal and provincial funding to future upgrades to the plant and relieve the tax burden to the citizens of Moose Jaw".