Wedoany.com Report, As of March 4, Landrie Lake Water Utility has received environmental assessment approval to construct a new water transmission pipeline system for the communities of Port Hawkesbury and Richmond in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The water transmission pipeline project is being undertaken by the utility company co-owned by the Town of Port Hawkesbury and the Municipality of the County of Richmond, with water sourced from the Landrie Lake watershed owned and operated by the Department of Public Works.

Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, stated: "The water utility applied for this approval to support its work to ensure water supply keeps pace with growing demand. This project also supports the success of two planned green hydrogen projects in the area, which will help us meet our climate goals. The project must adhere to the 41 strict terms and conditions in its environmental assessment approval to protect the environment and people." The project aims to restore the Little River water transfer pump station and transmission pipeline to convey water from the Little River reservoir to Landrie Lake, and to increase production at the Industrial Water Utility located in Port Malcolm.

According to the environmental assessment documents, the water transmission pipeline project will restore existing site access, construct an intake structure, a pump house, pumping and piping systems, controls, and a 2.75-kilometer buried water transmission pipeline, primarily built along existing rights-of-way. Construction may commence within two years of approval, is estimated to take approximately 16 months, and has an operational lifespan of 50 to 100 years. The utility company previously used a similar pipeline before 1992 but discontinued its use when water demand declined. The restart of this water transmission pipeline project will support regional economic growth and water security.