Wednesday, June 3, 2026
After several years of project planning and engineering design work, construction on the long-awaited Phillips Reservoir UV Disinfection Facility Project for the City of Cranbrook is officially underway following a groundbreaking event.
The Phillips Reservoir UV Disinfection Facility will modernize how the City treats drinking water by adding ultraviolet (UV) disinfection to the treatment process, alongside a new sodium hypochlorite system. Together, these upgrades create a dual-barrier treatment system that improves water quality, enhances safety for both the public and operators, and ensures the City continues to meet provincial drinking water standards.
“This is an important and exciting day where we officially kick off a project that will further protect the City’s water quality and provide safe and clean drinking water for decades to come,” said Mayor Wayne Price. “We are thankful and so grateful to the Government of Canada and the Province of BC for this important grant funding through ICIP grant program. Without their partnership and support, this project would have been difficult for us to accomplish.”
This project is an important investment in the long-term reliability of Cranbrook’s water system. The new facility is being designed to meet the needs of today while supporting growth well into the future, with infrastructure able to accommodate projected growth over the next 75 years. It will also help the City maintain its current treatment approach and defer the need for a much more expensive filtration treatment plant, which could cost in the range of $100+ million to build and would add significant ongoing operating costs.
“Investments in modern water infrastructure are essential to building healthy and sustainable communities,” said Stephen Fuhr, MP for Kelowna. “We are proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Phillips Reservoir UV Disinfection Facility to ensure that Cranbrook residents have reliable access to clean drinking water for years to come.”
In March 2024, the City of Cranbrook was awarded $9.5 million in funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Environmental Quality Stream with $5.20 million from the Government of Canada and $4.33 million from both the Government of Canada and the Province of BC. The City is contributing a total of $3.46 million to the $12.99-million project.
“People in Cranbrook will benefit from safer, more dependable drinking water that protects their health for now and for generations to come,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “This initiative strengthens community well-being while supporting population growth and reducing long-term costs for residents. It reflects a shared commitment to resilient public services that improve quality of life and safeguard essential resources.”
The new Phillips Reservoir UV Disinfection Facility is anticipated to be completed and operational by the fall of 2027.
Featured image: (City of Cranbrookd)
