The federal government is investing $7.6 million to protect people, essential transportation corridors, farmlands, and businesses in the City of Delta, B.C. from increasingly intense rainstorms due to the impacts of climate change.
This was announced by the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity of Canada and Member of Parliament for Delta and His Worship George V. Harvie, Mayor of the City of Delta.
The project will build two new drainage pump stations: the 84 Street Drainage Pump Station and the Silda Drainage Pump Station.
“British Columbia knows rain, but with climate change, the frequency and intensity of storms is rising fast. Much of Delta sits on a coastal floodplain, and every rainy season brings localized flooding—a situation set to intensify as our climate continues to change. Today’s announcement shows our commitment to protecting communities and building resilience to face these new realities head-on,” said The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity of Canada and Member of Parliament for Delta, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
The 84 Street Drainage Pump Station will address flooding concerns, including water ponding on roadways, railway tracks, and agricultural lands. The station will manage stormwater, transporting it through a force main pipeline to the discharge point at the Boundary Bay dike. It will also protect critical transportation networks, including local roads, Highway 99, and the railway corridor to Deltaport, from disruptions caused by flooding-related closures. Additionally, the pump station will include a flap gate and an energy dissipation structure to prevent backflow and minimize environmental impacts on local ecosystems.
“On behalf of Delta Council, I extend our sincere thanks to the Government of Canada for this essential support, enabling us to make meaningful progress in flood protection for our community. With climate change leading to more frequent atmospheric river events and severe storms, our residents, commuters, farming community, and businesses face increasing risks from heavy rainfall and flooding. The new pump stations at 84 Street and the Silda area will play a crucial role in safeguarding our low-lying areas that face flooding due to heavy rainfall events, strengthening our infrastructure, and ensuring the long-term sustainability for our industrial sector and agricultural community. This project represents a vital investment in Delta’s future as we address the evolving challenges of climate change,” said His Worship George V. Harvie, Mayor of the City of Delta.
The Silda Drainage Pump Station will reduce the risk of flooding at Highway 91/17 interchange. It will also address flooding concerns, including water ponding on roads, railway tracks, and pedestrian trails, as well as impacts on local businesses in the low-lying catchment area.
