Three Rivers will make way for more housing with upgrades to water and sewer services

Three Rivers will make way for more housing with upgrades to water and sewer services

Mayor says project will allow the town to grow at a time when housing is needed

As it steadily grows, the Town of Three Rivers in eastern Prince Edward Island is getting upgrades to its water and sewer services to support more housing.

The P.E.I. government, Ottawa and Three Rivers are putting $5.9 million into the project, which includes enhancing the town's lift station, improving the domestic water booster station at the wastewater treatment facility and incorporating coastal resilience measures.

Mayor Debbie Johnston said the upgrades will allow the town to grow at a time when housing is needed.

"It feels great to have that added security to make sure our plant can handle everything that's coming online," she said.

"It's been said that all over Canada we need housing, so it's just as important in Three Rivers as it is any place else, and … we see the need for different types of housing."

A news release from the federal government states that the project will "support improvements that will ensure reliable service" for the town's residents "while facilitating new development and community densification."

Johnston said the town has seen record growth, with 220 development permits issued over the last year, and there is hope Three Rivers can continue to grow and "provide everybody that needs a home a home."

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She also wants input from community members on that growth and the builds residents would like to see in the town.

"We want to hear from residents, too," she said.

"I've been holding community conversations in a number of different communities, and if anybody has any comments on the growth they'd like to see in the town, I'd like to hear from them."

Lucas McInnis is a journalist at CBC Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at lucas.mcinnis@cbc.ca.