Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Four communities in New Brunswick will get a combined $22 million from the federal, provincial and municipal governments to support water infrastructure projects. Tracadie and Rivere-du-Nord will receive $13.2 million, with $8.8 million going to Bathurst and Belle-Baie. Tracadie will use the funding to support the second phase of its multi-phased project to renew aging sanitary sewer, water and storm sewer mains on Principale Street.
This investment will enable the improvement, relocation and rebuilding of two lift stations in Belle-Baie, as well as improvements to sanitary sewer lines. These upgrades will decrease the risk of flooding for the two lift stations, which are currently located in an area that is vulnerable to rising sea levels. In addition, residents of Bathurst will benefit from the renewal of all drinking water lines, sanitary sewer lines and storm sewers along Chaleur and Sainte-Anne streets. This investment will also enable drainage improvements and the installation of sidewalks. The installation of curbs and a storm system will reduce the storm water infiltration and reduce sanitary sewer overflows at Bathurst’s wastewater treatment facility.
