Better Quality Water | Popkum resident Tony Edwards describes how clothes, cars and sidewalks have been discoloured by high levels of iron in drinking water on Berston Road, while MLA Barry Penner, MP Chuck Strahl, Cheam Band Chief Sidney Douglas and FVRD Director Bill Dickey listen.
FVRD Gets $2.7 Million to Improve Water Systems
2009-10-13
BRIDAL FALLS – Canada, B.C. and the Fraser Valley Regional District have approved a joint investment of $2,726,000 through the Building Canada Fund and Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to get shovels in the ground. This project will benefit local residents by creating jobs, helping to boost the local economy, and build long-lasting local infrastructure.
"This improvement and expansion of the water system will make a big difference in the day-to-day lives of more than a thousand people living in the Popkum and Bridal Falls area, and that's why I was pleased to work with Electoral Area representative Bill Dickey, MP Chuck Strahl and Minister Shirley Bond to secure the funding" says Chilliwack-Hope MLA Barry Penner. "This partnership will help the area continue to grow, and provide clean water that people can use without staining their clothes, sidewalks or holding their nose."
The project, which will serve about 1,600 people, will allow the Fraser Valley Regional District to integrate three separate water systems (West Popkum, Bridal Falls, and Berston Road). It will also allow the Cheam First Nation to connect to the system and has the potential to connect to lands of the Popkum First Nation. Currently, there are inadequate water pressure and fire flow issues throughout the four systems. This project consists of installation of approximately 4.7 km of water pipe, construction of a 1200 or 1300 cubic metre reservoir, and upgrading of several existing wells
"This investment will enhance the health and safety of these communities by providing an adequate, safe and reliable supply of water," said Chuck Strahl, MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon. "Just as important, this new integrated water system also serves to create jobs during these uncertain economic times."
"The local community has been looking forward to this day for 15 years," says Bill Dickey the FVRD Electoral Area D director. "We couldn't be happier about the support from the federal and provincial government for better quality water, even in a small community like ours."
The Government of Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan includes a vast array of initiatives to help to stimulate the economy, create jobs, build consumer confidence, and assist Canadians when they need it most during this global economic recession.
The project is funded under the BC Government’s three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.
Since February about 480 projects worth $3.4 billion have been announced. These will create an estimated 21,600 jobs in communities across British Columbia.
For more information, visit www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca .
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