Kelowna, British Columbia, June 30, 2010 – Close to 500 residents of two water systems of the Regional District of Central Okanagan are receiving new water meters thanks to $345,000 from the federal the Gas Tax Fund. The Regional District has contracted the installation of meters in homes connected to the Killiney Beach and Westshore Water utilities. These homes are the last of the Regional District’s five water systems to receive meters.
“Fresh water is one of our most treasured natural resources and it should be well managed,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “Through the Gas Tax Fund, the Government of Canada is supporting the Central Okanagan Regional District in its efforts to improve water management to ensure the long-term sustainability of its communities.”
“The regional district should be commended for making this project a priority,” said Minister of Community and Rural Development Ben Stewart. “Improved water management is a key component of sustainability in the Okanagan Valley.”
Regional District Chair Robert Hobson says, “Water meters are an important tool for measuring the demand for treated water. Based on the experience of other metered water systems, the Regional District anticipates these new meters will provide an opportunity for individuals to reduce their water bills by better understanding their water use and taking steps to control their consumption. The meters should also result in reduced repair costs by extending the life of existing equipment on the water systems.”
The Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund is a tripartite agreement between Canada, British Columbia and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) delivering infrastructure funding to local governments for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. UBCM administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C. in collaboration with Infrastructure Canada and British Columbia.
“The addition of meters to these water systems provides a valuable tool for regional water conservation,” said UBCM President Harry Nyce. “We are very appreciative of the federal and provincial support for this improvement to the region’s infrastructure.”
For more information on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. For information on the Gas Tax Fund, visit
www.infc.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information:
James Kusie
Office of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700
Ministry of Community and Rural Development
250-387-4089
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Bruce Smith
Communications Coordinator
Regional District of Central Okanagan
250-469-6339
