The Village of Harrison Hot Springs received $2,297,108 for its Water Infrastructure Renewal Program. It was announced Monday by Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness on behalf of Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender.
“Communities in B.C. depend on our water infrastructure for all kinds of applications. This is certainly true for those in Harrison Hot Springs. These investments will create economic opportunities through jobs while increasing access to essential resources,” said Throness in a press release statement.
The funding is part of a federal-provincial investment in critical clean water and infrastructure.
The Village is one of 144 projects in which the province is contributing a total of $310 million under the umbrella of The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
“It gives me great pleasure this evening on behalf of the council of the Village of Harrison Hot Springs that the operate project to approve federal-provincial clean wastewater fund has been approved — this project will see the rehabilitation of water lines for the community water reservoir, extend the distribution system to an additional 102 properties and upgrade water mains along Hot Springs Road to improve fire flow capacity,” said Mayor Leo Facio at Monday’s Mar. 20 Village council meeting.
The project follows the Harrison Hot Springs water master plan and supports the official plan goal to expand the community water system.
“It’s an economically sustainable water system where cost is shared over a large tax base and will provide good economic value to the community as a whole,” said Facio. “Our council is proud of the fact that through careful planning and by sourcing important infrastructure funding, we are able to provide our residents with safe, affordable, drinking water. We very much appreciate the support of our provincial and federal partners in helping bring clean, safe, drinking water to Harrison Hot Springs.”
The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund enables crucial investments in local government infrastructure, specifically supporting long-term benefits in rehabilitating drinking water, wastewater and storm water systems, as well as planning and designing future facilities and upgrades to existing wastewater systems.
The Village has a timeline of a year to complete the project, which gives residents with water concerns a timeframe for their current water troubles. Residents on well-water have had some issues, including complete loss of access to water, according to attendees at Monday’s council meeting. Ed Arndt, spoke publicly during the question period, and relayed information that his neighbour was currently without water.
With the funding on board, the Village can move forward with its mandate to provide the best possible water for its residents.
Overall the funding will help communities ensure that residents enjoy safe and reliable access to drinking water and improved environmental protections, and will assist local governments in meeting provincial and federal regulations. Clean water and wastewater management is a core service that communities depend on to grow and help ensure sustainability principles are met, while improving community vibrancy, resiliency and attractiveness.
“Safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater systems are essential infrastructure for all communities in our province. The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund enables local governments to make the critical investments in essential services their citizens rely upon. This program is another successful example of our government working together with our federal and municipal partners to best serve British Columbians,” said Fassbender in a press release statement.