B.C. receives funding for 144 new water and wastewater infrastructure projects

Together the governments of Canada and British Columbia announced a combined $373.2 million for 144 new projects across B.C. through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.

Funding will support infrastructure projects such as a new water treatment plant in West Kelowna, a drinking water system upgrade and universal metering project in Balfour, design work in Elkford for new water mains, a water main extension in Oak Bay, wastewater lagoon aeration upgrades in Tumbler Ridge, and extensive sewer work in Vancouver.

Also on the list is a $5.8 million combined sewer separation project in Burnaby, improving the city’s wastewater and storm water systems to prevent sewer overflows to the environment during periods of heavy rain and reducing the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated.

“The City of Burnaby is committed to sustainability and sewer separation is a key environmental initiative,” said Colleen Jordan, Burnaby City Councillor, in a release. “Since 1998, we’ve been upgrading our old sewer systems to separate clean runoff from sewer, reducing the quantity of wastewater directed to treatment facilities, saving taxpayer dollars, and ensuring untreated waste doesn’t reach our rivers and streams. It’s a labour-intensive project that takes many years. We are thrilled to be able to apply these funds immediately to this critical ongoing project.”

• The Government of Canada allocated $225,067,721 to British Columbia under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund and funding up to 50% of the eligible project costs.
• The Government of British Columbia is providing up to $148.5 million through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund and will fund 33% of the eligible project costs.

   

A list of the projects receiving funding can be found here.