New Residential Water Meters for Armstrong Residents

News Release

Project made possible thanks to federal Gas Tax Fund

November 20, 2014 – Armstrong, British Columbia – Infrastructure Canada

The City of Armstrong has now completed a major component of its Water Conservation Plan with the installation of nearly 1,800 residential water meters in the community.

In addition to conserving water, the project is also expected to reduce the City's energy consumption and defer the need for additional water supply and treatment upgrades in Armstrong.

Funding for the $760,000 project was made possible thanks in part to $470,000 from the federal Gas Tax Fund, as well as $16,300 from the Okanagan Basin Water Board and its Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program. The remaining funds for the project were provided through local revenues.

Quick facts

The Government of Canada provides $253,276,892 in annual funding for municipal infrastructure in British Columbia through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
Since 2006, the federal Gas Tax Fund has made nearly $2.6 million available to the City of Armstrong.

Quotes

"Fresh water is one of our most treasured natural resources and it is important that it be well managed. Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, our Government is pleased to be supporting the City of Armstrong in its efforts to improve water management to ensure the long-term sustainability of the community, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada."

- Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan—Shuswap

"The conservation of water is a major contributor to the long-term sustainability of our environment. We value the role the Gas Tax fund has played in assisting the City of Armstrong with the cost of additional water meters for its residents. This project will not only assist in reducing local water consumption, but also helps sets the stage for a strong, healthy environment in this community for years to come."

- Greg Kyllo, MLA for Shuswap

"The City is grateful for funding from the federal Gas Tax Fund and the Okanagan Basin Water Board. Adding residential metering to our already metered commercial and industrial properties has been a high priority for many years. There is a real value to our community in understanding our water use and it is very exciting to see the project coming to fruition."

- Chris Pieper, Mayor, City of Armstrong

"Water metering is one of the most important things a community can do to protect itself from shortages and sustainably manage water supplies. It also serves to help inform citizens about their own water use. Around the world, communities that meter are proving to be more resilient and better informed. It's great to see the City of Armstrong move forward on this initiative."

- Anna Warwick Sears, Executive Director, Okanagan Basin Water Board

"The installation of water meters is an investment that provides multiple dividends. Meters provide residents with better information to manage their usage, protecting water supplies and prolonging the life of the existing water system. I am very pleased to see the generous support provided by the Government of Canada and the Okanagan Basin Water Board for this project."

- Sav Dhaliwal, UBCM President

Associated links

See how the federal Gas Tax Fund provides long-term funding to help local governments build and revitalize their local infrastructure.
Learn more about the New Building Canada Plan, Canada's largest long-term infrastructure plan, which will provide stable funding for a 10-year period.
Consult Canada's Economic Action Plan to learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy.
Learn more about the Okanagan Basin Water Board's Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program.

Contacts

Vincent Rabault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
Communications
250-356-6334

Terry Martens
Chief Financial Officer
City of Armstrong
250-546-3023

Corinne Jackson
Communications Director
Okanagan Basin Water Board
250-469-6271

Paul Taylor
Director of Communications
UBCM
250-356-2938

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada

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New Residential Water Meters for Armstrong Residents

News Release

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