More than 400 residents will receive safer, cleaner water
Salmon Arm, British Columbia, July 6, 2011 – Residents of MacArthur Heights and Reedman Heights are benefiting from the completion of a new water system that will provide safer, cleaner water. The project was fully funded with close to $2.5 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
“The availability of quality drinking water has a direct effect on the quality of life for Canadians,” said Colin Mayes, MP for Okanagan-Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “I am very proud that our government, through the federal Gas Tax Fund, was able to invest in such a worthwhile project that will have a positive effect on families and communities serviced by the Reedman water system.”
This project involved the interconnection and upgrading of two failing water systems with histories of water quality problems. Residents serviced by the Reedman system have been on a continuous boil-water order since the failing system distributed untreated water.
“I’m very pleased that the Gas Tax Fund has supported these critical water system upgrades that mean so much to the residents of MacArthur Heights and Reedman Heights,” said George Abbott, MLA for Shuswap. “This is an outstanding example of how the Gas Tax Fund is making a positive difference to B.C. families and their communities, especially those living in rural areas of the province.”
“This is a great project, joining two escheated water systems with long histories of water quality issues and technical challenges -- finally resulting in the creation of a single, sustainable, state-of-the-art water utility that exceeds all health regulations, thanks to the diligence of the CSRD’s staff and the cooperation of all levels of government,” said Area Director Ted Bacigalupo.
The new system received a comprehensive upgrade, including: a pressure reducing station; a new deep water intake and pumping system; a dedicated mainline to the treatment plant; a direct filtration treatment plant with ultraviolet and chlorine disinfection; a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) monitoring system; and improvements to an existing reservoir.
The Gas Tax Fund is a tripartite agreement between Canada, British Columbia and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) that delivers infrastructure funding to local governments primarily 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 Canada and British Columbia.
“One of the challenges facing local governments with rural populations is the high cost of improving small water systems,” said UBCM President Barbara Steele. “By funding these and other infrastructure projects, the Gas Tax Fund is ensuring that more British Columbians have access to safe drinking water.”
For further information on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Gillian Rhodes
Communications Manager
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-356-6334
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Or Toll-Free 1-877-250-7154
Terry Langlois
Water Services Coordinator
Columbia Shuswap Regional District
250-832-8194
