Thanks to the provincial and federal governments, Prince Albert will soon have a new water reservoir.

Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale, and provincial Government Relations Minister Dona Harpauer announced funding for 75 new water and wastewater projects in Saskatchewan Friday, including $9 million for the construction of a new water reservoir in Prince Albert.

The project will be funded 50 per cent by the federal government, and 25 per cent each by the provincial and municipal governments.

The $9 million was the second largest total announcement made Friday.

The reservoir will add about two full days of drinking water storage capacity to the city’s existing four days.

For Mayor Greg Dionne, the announcement provides a sense of relief.

“I’ve been working on it for five years, since I became mayor,” he said. “When it finally does happen, you feel good. I always believe, when it comes to infrastructure funding, you never quit.”

Dionne was in Regina for the announcement. He said the government bodies are expected to contribute to a second reservoir next year.

“By the time both of them are done, we will have a solid seven to eight days of water in storage. So if we have a crisis like (last summer), it will give us some breathing room to respond.”

Dionne said the project will be completed this year.

“We’re looking forward to moving forward quite quickly,” he said. “Hopefully the same time next year, I’ll be back in Regina to make the other announcement.”

For more on this story, please see the June 3 print or e-edition of the Daily Herald.