Funding flows to B.C. water projects

LUMBY, B.C.—Four projects that support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are getting a funding boost from B.C. and the federal government.

The province announced more than $19.2 million in joint funding will go towards four projects to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The projects will upgrade existing wastewater treatment facilities or construct new drinking water facilities to enhance water capacity, comply with provincial standards, improve surface water quality and protect the surrounding environment. “Upgrades to water and wastewater management systems in these four communities will increase treatment capacity, provide safe potable water to a larger number of residents, and help protect local ecosystems,” said Dominic LeBlanc, minister of intergovernmental affairs, infrastructure and communities, in a statement. “Our government is working collaboratively with our provincial, municipal, and First Nations partners to invest in clean water and create healthy, resilient communities.”

The wastewater lagoon that serves the Nak’azdli Whut’en will be replaced by a new treatment system to improve operational efficiencies and protect salmon populations in the nearby Necoslie River. The village of Lumby will see a new modern facility built as well as the rehabilitation of an existing lagoon system, including the installation of liners to prevent leaks into Bessette Creek.

Funds will also flow to Comox Valley Regional District, helping remove seasonal boil water advisories for a number of properties, and to the Regional District of Columbia-Shuswap to upgrade the filtration and drinking water infrastructure.

The funding is a collaboration between the federal government and B.C. The Government of Canada will contribute more than $13.9 million and B.C. will chip in more than $5.3 million in these four projects through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations. Additional contributions will be made from the municipalities and the Nak’azdli Whut’en.