April 10, 2010

NEW SEWERS PROTECT WATER QUALITY IN OSOYOOS  

Osoyoos, British Columbia – 130 properties along Osoyoos Lake will be serviced by sewers, preventing potential contamination of wells and Osoyoos Lake.

Funding of $4,650,000 from the Canada – BC Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund will assist in the development of this project, which is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2012. Ground was broken today by Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Stockwell Day, Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater, Osoyoos Councillor Michael Ryan, and Regional District representative Mark Pendergraft.

"With this investment, public health concerns will be addressed by reducing groundwater contamination and improving the quality of well water," says Minister Day. "It is another example of all levels of government working together to help local communities during the worldwide economic downturn and I was pleased to be able to secure federal funding support for this project."

“This project will create jobs in the short-term, improve infrastructure for the medium-term, and protect water quality for the long-term,” says Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater.

The town of Osoyoos will own and operate the system under the authority of a service agreement with the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.

“The Town of Osoyoos is pleased to undertake the NW sewer extension after several years of planning and negotiation and many years of discussion,” says Michael Ryan, Osoyoos Town Councillor. “Although beyond our town boundaries, it demonstrates the Town’s commitment to enhance and safeguard the quality of our Lake.  The project would never have happened without the generous support of the federal and provincial governments.” 

“I am elated that this project is finally underway,” says Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Area ‘A’ Mark Pendergraft.  “I would like to thank the Town of Osoyoos Council and staff for their cooperation and help with moving this project forward.  Without partnerships, important projects such as this would not get done. The health of Osoyoos Lake is what started this project and I am sure that there will be an improvement once it is completed.”

One-third matching funding will be provided by the benefiting properties, and through municipal borrowing. Additional funding is provided by the Okanagan Basin Water Board.   

This project is just one example of the commitment of both governments to strengthen the British Columbia economy and improve the quality of life for its residents.  The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have taken steps to advance projects and flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects in British Columbia communities in the 2010 construction season.

The projects are funded under the Province’s three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program, which will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca.  For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca. The website www.creatingjobs.gc.ca has more information on federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia.

To learn more about MLA Slater, visit his website at www.johnslatermla.bc.ca and follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JohnSlaterMLA

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