More than $222.83 million in joint program funding was announced on Tuesday to support an infrastructure rejuvenation project at the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant.

The federal government is funding over $89.13 million, The Government of Saskatchewan is providing more than $74.26 million and the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation, owned by the cities of Regina and Moose Jaw, is contributing more than $59.42 million. 

The facility supplies water to more than 260,000 people living in Moose Jaw, Regina, and other surrounding communities. 

The renewal project will include upgrades to the main treatment plant, pump station and reservoirs.

The facility has not been upgraded for over 30 years and the new additions will serve the coming demand in later years.

Mayor Fraser Tolmie says this rejuvenation will cut costs down the road.

"We thank the federal and provincial governments for partnering with the City of Moose Jaw and Regina to renew the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant," Tolmie said.

"With these upgrades and our city's installation of the new transmission line to our High Service Reservoir, Moose Javians and surrounding communities can be assured that we will have efficient and effective delivery of safe drinking water.

This multimillion-dollar investment eliminates the need for major utility rate increases in the future related to upgrades to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant."

The upgraded plant will be a mix of renovation, and brand-new infrastructure to ensure the plant will treat water more efficiently. The current plant is limited in what it can do, and the new plant will provide more options. 

The government of Canada has invested more than $2 billion towards more than 520 infrastructure projects across the province under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

The construction will begin in early 2022 and the facility is expected to be done by 2025.