Balfour drinking water system project gets green light under CWWF
By Contributor
The community of Balfour, located 40 kilometers north of Nelson, is one of 144 new projects in British Columbia through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF).
Recently, Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, announced a combined $373.2 million for 144 new projects.
The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding — more than $186.6 million — and the Province is investing nearly $123.2 million.
Local governments are contributing the balance of $63.4 million.
“Infrastructure is the foundation of the Canada we all want to build for tomorrow,” said the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
“Both large and small communities can find it challenging to fund much-needed water and wastewater infrastructure, which is why the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund is so important.
“This latest round of approved projects will protect the environment, keep communities in British Columbia healthy, and will create well-paying jobs for the middle class.”
Funding will support infrastructure projects across the province such as a drinking water system upgrade and universal metering project in Balfour; a new water treatment plant in West Kelowna, a 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, which will make critical improvements to the city’s wastewater and storm water systems that will protect the local environment by preventing sewer overflows to the environment during periods of heavy rain and reducing the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated.
These investments are part of the bilateral agreement between Canada and British Columbia, announced on September 30, 2016, and are in addition to the $36.1 million in federal funding and $23.8 million in provincial funding announced that day for 35 water projects (news.gc.ca) .
“Infrastructure is the foundation of the Canada we all want to build for tomorrow,” said the Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
“Both large and small communities can find it challenging to fund much-needed water and wastewater infrastructure, which is why the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund is so important. This latest round of approved projects will protect the environment, keep communities in British Columbia healthy, and will create well-paying jobs for the middle class.”
Quick Facts
- Under the CWWF agreement, the Government of Canada has made its funding retroactive to April 1, 2016, so projects can proceed without delay to ensure a productive construction season.
- Details on Phase 2 of Investing in Canada will be announced in the coming months.
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The Government of Canada allocated $225,067,721 to British Columbia under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund and will fund up to 50 per cent of the eligible project costs.
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The Government of British Columbia is providing up to $148.5 million through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund and will fund 33 per cent of the eligible project costs.
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The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
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These record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province build on the immediate investments and long-term action plan outlined in B.C.’s Rural Economic Development Strategy that are expected to create over 26,000 jobs and add $2.8 billion to provincial GDP.
