April 4th, 2008

The Comox Valley Regional District's drinking water supply will be improved thanks to more than $2.6 million from the federal and provincial governments.

The $2,666,666 in federal/provincial funding will go towards twinning the East Courtenay reservoir to double the region's available water supply.

The project will also install new water level monitoring equipment. This will provide fire protection, maintain water quality, and meet the region's water demands for approximately 2,300 new households over the next 20 years, the two levels of government explained in a news release.

The announcement was made Friday in Courtenay by Premier Gordon Campbell; Gary Lunn, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands and minister of natural resources; and Stan Hagen, MLA for Comox Valley and minister of tourism, sport and the arts.

"This investment will help ensure that the water supply in the Comox Valley keeps pace with the growth that this region is experiencing now and expects to continue in the years ahead," Campbell said in a news release.

"It's a priority of our government to ensure the Comox Valley's drinking water supply is sustainable," said Hagen. "Working with the federal government and the regional district is one way we can ensure this community has good, clean drinking water for the health and well-being of the residents."

Reservoir expansion will provide a 25-per-cent increase in the overall Comox Valley water supply storage capacity, said Paul Ives, chair of the Comox Valley Water Committee.

"This project has been part of our long-term capital plan, and with this funding in place, we can now proceed with completion," Ives stated. "The most important thing to remember about increasing the reservoir's capacity is that it will ensure a sustainable water supply for the residents of the Comox Valley Regional District."

The funding is provided through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

At least 60 per cent of the funding will assist "green projects" that are geared towards enhancing environmental sustainability, such as water and waste-water systems, public transit and environmental energy improvements.

Other infrastructure projects will support local roads, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism and broadband connectivity.

Funding for this project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.