Project approved under Canada's Small Communities Fund
July 31, 2015 – Houston, British Columbia– Infrastructure Canada
Residents of Houston will benefit from new drinking water infrastructure thanks to joint funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Small Communities Fund.
The District of Houston will use the funding to construct a new water reservoir and to install a new potable water main to connect it to the existing municipal system. Once completed, the new reservoir will help provide additional water storage capacity and improve overall water system reliability. The project will result in a water delivery system that can meet both the current and anticipated future needs of Houston's residents and businesses.
The project announced today is among 55 recently approved in British Columbia that will collectively receive more than $128 million in joint federal-provincial funding under the Small Communities Fund. These projects represent important investments in municipal infrastructure that maintain safe, healthy communities. Once complete, the work will significantly improve key municipal services for residents and help boost regional development.
Through the Small Communities Fund, the governments of Canada and British Columbia are working in partnership to provide funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs in communities across the province that have fewer than 100,000 residents. These investments support job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across British Columbia for years to come.
"Through our partnership in the Small Communities Fund, the federal and provincial governments are joining the District in the construction of a water reservoir and transmission line to provide an improved drinking water system for the residents of Houston. We recognize the importance of working with local government to make large projects possible and I commend Mayor Brienen and council for their commitment to the project."
-John Rustad
Member of Legislative Assembly for Nechako Lakes
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
"On behalf of the residents of Houston, I would like to thank both the Federal and Provincial governments for their contribution towards the replacement of our water tower and the addition of the water transmission line. Both these infrastructure projects are critical assets to the community with respect to providing water for domestic consumption but also increasing the capacity in which to provide fire protection to the community."
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
250-953-3677
Michael D. Glavin
Chief Administrative Officer
District of Houston
250-845-2238
Infrastructure Canada 613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
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