Costs for the innovative Sechelt Water Resource Centre in Sechelt, British Columbia will be covered by the federal Gas Tax Fund and the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, which will contribute $8 million and $3.2 million respectively. The provincial and federal governments have also committed $1.6 million each to the facility.
“I am appreciative of the support that is being provided through the federal Gas Tax Fund to upgrade Sechelt’s wastewater system,” said Rhona Martin, president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. “The project design is innovative and will provide efficient treatment for many years.”
The treatment facility will utilize improved methods that will eliminate the noise and odours currently produced during waste treatment. It will utilize an innovative technology that incorporates natural plant roots, effectively merging wastewater treatment with something similar to a botanical garden. The centre will also be highly energy efficient: heat from the treatment process will be used to warm the building, biosolids will be composted offsite, and treatment water will be reclaimed for a variety of uses. (Ed Note: For more on the Sechelt Water Resource Centre, see “Green Treatment” on page 18 of Water Canada’s May/June 2014 issue, or click here.)
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides more than $250 million annually for municipal infrastructure within the province of British Columbia. The Building Canada Fund has also allowed for significant investment in important infrastructure projects.
“The coming together of this project is a testament to the success of our partnerships in both the Building Canada Fund and the Gas Tax fund with the Government of Canada,” said Coralee Oakes, minister of community, sport, and cultural development. “The support from these funds was instrumental in helping to cover the costs of this innovative wastewater treatment facility that will service the residents of Sechelt for years to come.”
– Katie Yantzi
