The Mayor for Ritchot says he is thrilled with Wednesday's announcement by the upper levels of government.

Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Jeff Wharton, Manitoba Minister of Municipal Relations announced $1 million from each level of government for upgrades to water and wastewater systems in Ritchot. The municipality will also be contributing $1 million.

Funding will support upgrades to the raw water supply system and increase the capacity of the reservoir to meet rising water use from rural residents, Riel Industrial Park, Ste. Agathe, St. Adolphe, Ile des Chenes, as well as planned future expansion of the regional water system to the community of Grande Pointe and area. These upgrades will ensure the municipality can provide potable water to the existing and future population that meets both Manitoba's and Canada's water quality standards and legislation.

Ritchot Mayor Chris Ewen says these projects could not happen without help from the provincial and federal governments.

"Absolutely not," he says. "I'm more than pleased with the help we've received from the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba. Without them we couldn't see the sustainability of projects like this for the long term."

Ewen notes these projects are a sign of growth in the municipality.

"We do see a large boom in the Ritchot area," he says. "Specifically, Ste. Agathe and Grande Pointe to be happening very shortly."

Work on the expansion to the water treatment plant east of Ste. Agathe is already underway. Ewen suggests it could be spring or summer before that project wraps. A timeline for the other work has not been announced.