$3.8 million for new drinking water system in Oliver

February 23, 2008

OLIVER – More than $3.8 million in federal and provincial government funding is being committed to provide a safe, reliable source of water for the residents of Oliver. The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety and MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla, and Bill Barisoff, MLA for Penticton-Okanagan Valley, announced the investment from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) today.

“There are few things more important to a community than its water supply. This new system will provide a clean, consistent and dependable water source for the Town of Oliver,” said Minister Day, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the Province of British Columbia to deliver on our promise to help communities become more vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families.”

The funding will allow the Town of Oliver to construct phase two of its Rural Water Twinning Project—a domestic water distribution system to be supplied by a new groundwater source. In addition to a new well, the project will deliver 15.7 km of water main, 218 service connections, and 2,200 water meters. As a result, drinking water quality will improve and Oliver will gain a dependable water system to help it continue building as a prosperous and thriving community. The funding for this project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.

“All B.C. communities should have access to safe and clean drinking water,” said Barisoff. “Our government is committed to investing in environmentally sustainable infrastructure, and are pleased to partner with the federal government and the Town of Oliver to see this project become a reality.”

“We pride ourselves on building infrastructure projects that are good for the environment and good for the health and wellbeing of our residents," said Mayor Ron Hovanes. "Support from the federal and provincial governments on this water project will go a long way to help us deliver clean and safe water to rural residents.”

Under the initial CBCMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $51 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs. This year, the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C. have each provided an additional $23.5 million to the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in CBCMRIF projects to over $220 million.

The majority of the funding is targeted towards communities of fewer than 250,000 people and at least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with “green projects” such as drinking water supply, treatment and distribution needs as well as wastewater and energy efficiency projects. The remaining funds will be dedicated to projects such as tourism, recreation and other infrastructure.

More details on the program are available through the Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund website, at www.canadabcmrif.ca.