Several Million $ Estimated To Upgrade CRD Water And Sewer Systems

The Cariboo Regional District gave an update on future funding needs for their 16 water and sewer systems.

They say various upgrades are estimated to require close to $10 million over the next ten years.

CRD Communications Manager Gerald Pinchbeck breaks down the price tag for the upgrades.

“About $1.8 million for things that the water systems need to have replaced in order to function properly and provide safe drinking water and take away sewage. $1.7 million to support regulatory requirements whether that be removing manganese from water systems to help avoid avoid water quality advisories going forward or help with chlorination of certain water systems. $4.2 million would be needed to deal with aging infrastructures, we would just replacing systems originally installed in the 1960’s, 1970’s and another $2.1 million to help support operational improvements, so that we can start allocating funds towards long term capital cost and maintenance cost versus day to day operations.”

Pinchbeck pointed out where some of the 16 water and sewer capital projects are located.

“Some examples, the Horselake water system and the 108 water system down around 100 Mile House in the South Cariboo. We have Russet Bluff water, Pine Valley sewer, Wildwood sewer up in the Central Cariboo and then we have the Benjamin sewer system up in the North Cariboo.”

In release, the CRD stated that the Board approved a preliminary resolution calling for a greater advocacy to the Government of Canada to provide suitable and accessible financing mechanisms for improvements to water and sewer systems, due to the limited capacity of users of each system to finance individual system upgrades and maintenance cost to meet federal and provincial regulatory requirements.

The Board also requested staff to return with a prioritized list of projects that may be eligible for funding under the Growing Communities Fund, of which the CRD has $1.4 million remaining to be allocated towards infrastructure improvements.

The CRD stated these recommended actions will be brought forward for further consideration and ratification at their next regular Board meeting.