The governments of Canada and British Columbia announced a joint investment of more than $48.6 million to support multiple wastewater projects in the province.
In New Westminster, this investment will support the separation of combined sewers and related infrastructure upgrades to increase the City’s capacity to manage wastewater and treat or manage storm water. Project works will include the installation of 24 rain gardens, 8.4 kilometres of storm sewers, three permanent flow monitoring stations, as well as any necessary associated works and rehabilitation of roads impacted by the project. The combined sewer separation works will help improve the quality of storm water that enters the Fraser River.
“Investments in modernizing wastewater infrastructure improves the health and prosperity of our communities and protects our local environment. Our government is proud to invest more than $26.5 million in these wastewater upgrades projects across British Columbia. We will continue to collaborate with our partners to deliver more projects like these that improve wastewater management, increase treatment reliability, and support sustainable community development,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.
In Tofino, this investment will enable the City to begin the second phase of the construction of a modern wastewater treatment facility. The facility will meet provincial and federal regulatory standards that require sewage treatment to meet a secondary standard and will improve and protect the local marine environment.
This investment will also support wastewater projects in five other communities, including improvements to increase capacity to manage wastewater in Kamloops, Central Saanich, and Tahsis; the replacement of a lagoon liner in McBride; and the rehabilitation of 400 metres of sewer main and other upgrades to improve the wastewater system in Golden. These projects will protect local communities, ecosystems, and marine life.
“I am proud to be working with all levels of government to support joint infrastructure projects to ensure British Columbians have access to quality drinking water and reliable wastewater systems, while also protecting our rivers, lakes, and oceans. These seven new projects will improve services for B.C. communities and will protect critical infrastructure for years to come,” said Anne Kang, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs.
“The City of New Westminster would like to thank Infrastructure Canada for their support of the West End Combined Sewer Separation & Green Infrastructure program. This project will improve storm water quality, reduce urban flooding risk, support housing growth, and reduce overflows into the Fraser River. This funding will accelerate the City’s plans to meet regional and federal requirements, and provide infrastructure resiliency in a changing climate. The environment will benefit from rainwater to return to its more natural pathways,” said Patrick Johnstone, Mayor for the City of New Westminster.
Featured image: (L to R) New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone; Anne Kang, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs; and Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and MP for Vancouver South. (Government of B.C.)
