A federal and provincial investment of nearly $785,000 will enable the Sicamous area to upgrade its water treatment and distribution systems, providing clean and safer water for residents. The funding is provided through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF), which enables communities across B.C. to become healthier, greener and more sustainable places to live.
The announcement was made today by Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, and George Abbott, Minister of Health and MLA for Shuswap.
"More than 1,500 people in the Sicamous area will benefit from a reliable source of clean and safer drinking water," said MP Mayes, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "These investments are concrete examples of our commitment to build and modernize Canada's infrastructure in communities like Sicamous."
"Clean drinking water is a necessity for our community and these projects will make a tremendous difference to the health and sustainability of Sicamous," said MLA Abbott. "We're pleased to help provide infrastructure that will allow access to safe drinking water for all area residents."
More than $330,000 will enable the District of Sicamous to reconstruct the Mara Low Lift Pumphouse, and improve drinking water safety by installing a new disinfection system designed to reduce turbidity. Turbidity, which is a measurement of suspended particles in water, must be reduced to very low levels to achieve maximum and reliable disinfection.
In addition, a $454,000 investment will provide a new connector main to link the Two Mile community to the current Sicamous Water System, supplied by the Mara Low Lift Pumphouse. This upgrade will provide safer drinking water to 165 residents, and will help provide additional water availability for fire protection in this neighbourhood.
"On behalf of the Council, staff and citizens of the District of Sicamous, we are extremely grateful to receive funding under the Canada-BC Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund toward two priority projects: Mara Low Lift Pumphouse and chlorine conversion, and extension of the Main Mara Water System to the 2 Mile subdivision," said Mayor Lorraine March. "These two projects are high priority in ensuring elimination of future risk in the provision of quality potable water to our community, which has been a challenge given our financial constraints. We very much appreciate that this funding will improve water quality and ensure the sustainable use and management of infrastructure and water resources in our drinking water distribution system."
The majority of the program funding from the CBCMRIF, which was launched in June 2006, supports communities of fewer than 250,000 people in minimizing the costs to taxpayers of local infrastructure upgrades or new construction projects.
At least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with "green projects" that are geared towards enhancing environmental sustainability, such as water and waste-water systems, public transit, and environmental energy improvements. Other infrastructure projects will support local roads, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism, and broadband connectivity. Funding for this project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.
The total amount available through the CBCMRIF, with federal and provincial investments and matching local government contribution, is over $220 million. More details on the program are available through the CBCMRIF website, at Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.
For additional information, contact:
Jackie Stewart
Communications Advisor
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, B.C.
Tel: 604 666-7543
Cell: (604) 671-9031
Marc Black
Communications Manager
B.C. Ministry of Community Services
Victoria, B.C.
Tel: (250) 356-6334
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at Western Economic Diversification Canada.
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