Local government in the Thompson-Nicola area is receiving federal-provincial investments in critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure, announced Todd Stone, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson; Terry Lake, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson; and Jackie Tegart, MLA for Fraser-Nicola; on behalf of Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender.

The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund is providing approximately $310 million to 144 projects throughout the province.

Clean Water and Wastewater Fund recipients for Thompson-Nicola include:

• $144,586 for TNRD Utility Systems Master Plan for asset management, design, and planning.

The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund enables crucial investments in local government infrastructure, specifically supporting long-term benefits in rehabilitating drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, as well as planning and designing future facilities and upgrades to existing wastewater systems.

This 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.

The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund is one of the key ways the B.C. government is taking action to strengthen, grow and diversify rural communities. These projects build on the immediate investments and long-term action plan outlined in B.C.’s Rural Economic Development Strategy that are expected to create over 26,000 jobs and add $2.8 billion to provincial GDP.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –

“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.”

Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone –

“Through this joint funding, we are working to create an resilient and effective water service plan that will meet the future demands of the community. It is great to see that our government has a vision for the future and is prioritizing the needs of communities like ours.”

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake –

“The $144,586 being invested into the TNRD Utility Systems master plan, will work towards the ultimate goal of securing safe and reliable drinking water for Thompson-Nicola area. In supporting strong foundational systems, like drinking water, we are setting communities up for long-term success.”

Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart –

“The Thompson-Nicola Regional District Utility Services oversees 11 water and two wastewater systems in the region. To ensure that they are able to continue to provide our communities with quality water and sewage services, we are investing in an asset management strategy that will help provide direction for the future development of our community’s waterways.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2016, Premier Christy Clark announced $148.5 million for the new Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. Combined with the federal commitment of $225.1 million, this provides a total of $373.6 million in senior-government funding to support rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.
• Approved projects are cost shared 50% by the Government of Canada, 33% by the Province of British Columbia, and the remaining 17% from the local government.
• In September 2016, 35 projects received approval under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, representing $60 million in combined funding from the provincial and federal governments.

Learn More:

Province of B.C.’s Clean Water and Wastewater Fund overview:
http://www.gov.bc.ca/cleanwaterwastewaterfund

Government of Canada’s Clean Water and Wastewater Fund overview:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cwwf/cwwf-program-programme-eng.html