The Village of Harrison Hot Springs will go ahead with an application for the estimated $3.6 million Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
Currently there is a need for rehabilitation of the supply and return lines at the water reservoir and the expansion of the distribution system within the Village to serve additional properties while facilitating upgrades to the existing mains.
“The project supports community health and safety, capacity, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and is of enormous public value,” said Chief Administrative Officer for The Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Madeline McDonald.”
Additionally, the FVRD's Regional Growth Strategy targeted Harrison Lake, the source for the HHS potable water system, as a desirable water source for the region.
“The opportunity exists to apply for funding for this project under the new federal/provincial Clean Water and Wastewater Fund Program, which offers to reimburse a higher percentage of funding than the original New Building Canada Fund,”according to a report prepared by staff.
To manage costs, funds will be split between the province at 33.3 per cent, the federal government at 33 per cent, and the Village with the remaining 33. 3 per cent.
“Moving people onto a public water system provides good economic value to taxpayers. Residents leave the high cost of their unreliable private wells behind, and the economic sustainability of the system improves as costs are shared over a larger tax base,” said McDonald.