Williams Lake Council and Staff are continuing talks to move forward with the much needed Water Treatment Plant.
The City is still looking to get their application approved to get financial help from the provincial and federal government, which Mayor Suriderpal Rather says he was told they would deliver.
As of now, Rathor and the City are still waiting to get word on if it’ll go through.
“In politics, nothing is done until it’s done. I’ve been with the senior level of ministers last weekend and the weekend before, and I’m pushing as much as I can.” says Rathor.
“Everybody’s working on it. I’m pretty sure we will deliver it, but time, I can’t say anything. whenever it comes, it comes.”
Rathor added that the project will cost around $25 million, and are looking to get over $18 million in financial support, with the City contributing around $6.4 million.
He noted that this was at the beginning of the year, and if they were to approve the application today, Rathor is unsure if the project costs will be the same.
For reference, five years ago the total cost would have been around the $10 million mark.
If the cost were to go up to get the project completed, who would be the ones to cover that?
“I have told Victoria and Ottawa that if they didn’t approve it, if there’s any extra costs, I’m going to make them liable for that.” says Rathor.
“Now can I? I don’t know. I don’t think the City can afford to pay one penny more. It has already gone so high.”
Rathor also addressed the topic to residents through social media to clear up any confusion and to give a general update on the work being done.