Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) in B.C. has received federal and provincial support for its new drinking water treatment plant.
Announced by Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Ronna Rae Leonard, Member of Legislative Assembly for Courtenay–Comox, the federal-provincial joint funding will amount to more than $62.8 million.
“Modern efficient water infrastructure is essential to safeguarding the well-being of our families and building the Canada we want for tomorrow,” said Mendicino. “By investing in this crucial new water system in the CVRD, we are helping close the gaps in services to ensure everyone in the region has access to safe reliable drinking water for years to come.”
The project involves developing a new water treatment system to serve communities in the CVRD, including new intake infrastructure, pumping stations and pipelines, force mains and transmission mains, and a filtration facility with an educational space for the general public.
“People in the Comox area have been waiting for clean drinking water for too long. We’re funding this project to support people’s health, the local economy and the environment,” said Leonard. “Working with all levels of governments and Indigenous communities, our government is making smart investments in core services like clean drinking water for Comox area residents today, while helping build public infrastructure for the next generation.”
Once complete, the new infrastructure will reduce boil water advisories and provide clean safe drinking water to 45,000 residents in the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox, six regional communities, and the K’omoks First Nation.
“The generous funding committed today allows us to move forward with a new treatment system that will protect the health of our residents at a cost that is affordable for Comox Valley Water System users,” said Bob Wells, chair, Comox Valley Water Committee. “The installation of temporary UV treatment will help to reduce the negative impact of boil water notices on our community as we await the construction of our new system.”
