Sea to Sky communities to receive water infrastructure upgrades

PEMBERTON, BC – Two communities in the Sea to Sky Country are receiving upgrades to their water infrastructure

This was announced by Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country, Minister Anne Kang, and Pemberton Councillor Ted Craddock.

Pemberton will make upgrades after a combined investment of more than $8.1 million from the federal and provincial governments, and the Village of Pemberton. This project will construct a new water treatment plant to provide efficient and reliable water treatment services. It will include an oxidation and filtration system to lower iron and manganese levels in the source water, thereby increasing quality of the drinking water.

“Safe and reliable drinking water is essential to support growing communities. Today’s announcement of close to $10 million for two critical water projects will support residents across our region,” said Weiler. “In Pemberton, the construction of a new water treatment plant will ensure year-round access to clean and reliable water. Flood protection measures will safeguard homes, roads, and lands of the Líl̓wat Nation, while preserving salmon habitat. These investments will ensure clean, high-quality drinking water and protect residents and the environment for many years to come. The Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all orders of government to deliver local infrastructure projects like these that help build more resilient communities for everyone.”

Also, following a combined investment of more than $1.5 million from the federal government and Líl̓wat Nation, with support from the Government of B.C., rehabilitation and improvements are underway at Grandmother Slough, a fish-bearing stream within the Lillooet River floodplain. This project includes removing invasive reed canary grass, upgrading four culverts at two major crossings – Main Street and Highway 99 East – to improve water flow capacity, enhancing hydrometric monitoring, and restoring natural infrastructure to protect the salmon habitat. These upgrades will safeguard infrastructure, preserve the environment, and mitigate the impacts on water quality and ecosystems during future flood events.

Quick Facts

• The federal government is investing $3,263,600 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program in the Water Treatment Plant. The Government of British Columbia is investing $2,719,395 and the Village of Pemberton is contributing $2,176,005.
• The federal government is investing $1,175,404 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program in the Grandmother Slough Climate Adaptation Project. The Líl̓wat Nation, with support from the Government ofBritish Columbia, is contributing$391,801.
• The Green Infrastructure Stream contributes to building greener communities by reducing air and water pollution, providing clean water, increasing resilience to climate change, and fostering a clean-growth economy.
• Including today’s announcement, over 129 infrastructure projects under the Green Infrastructure Stream have been announced in British Columbia, with a total federal contribution of more than $551 million and a total provincial contribution of nearly $347 million.
• Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.