New Water Treatment System for Honeymoon Bay Residents

New water system improves water quality and community safety

Duncan, British Columbia, August 14, 2009 – Thanks to a new water system project, residents in Honeymoon Bay now have access to safer and cleaner water. The project was made possible through a $180,000 investment from the federal Gas Tax Fund to the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

“Our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, understands the importance of supporting infrastructure projects that create jobs, stimulate the economy and improve our environment,” said Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo—Alberni. “This water treatment system will ensure that the residents of Honeymoon Bay and Sutton Creek have access to clean, safe drinking water for generations to come.”

Previously, residents in Honeymoon Bay were dependent on surface water from the Ashburnam Creek. The new system, which incorporates a well, a steel reservoir, and a water treatment facility, will dramatically reduce the level of water turbidity. The additional capacity provided by the reservoir will also allow for the extension of services to residents in Sutton Creek and will improve fire protection in both communities. The total cost of the project was $570,000.

“It can often be a challenge for local governments to enhance or build infrastructure without the support of other levels of government,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development. “This water treatment plant, made possible by the Gas Tax Fund, will help provide the residents of Honeymoon Bay and Sutton Creek with added peace of mind when they turn on their taps for a drink of water.”

Design work is underway in the CVRD to extend the water system to the community of Sutton Creek.

“Work on providing a new water system to Honeymoon Bay has been ongoing for a number of years. This funding enables a safe potable water system to be built and it is a huge benefit to the community. Using federal Gas Tax funds to build this water system means that the residents in Honeymoon Bay will have an affordable stable water system providing service to their homes at a reasonable cost. The CVRD thanks the federal and provincial governments and UBCM for enabling it to move forward with this project in a timely and cost efficient way,” stated Gerry Giles, CVRD Board Chair.

The federal Gas Tax Fund is an agreement between Canada, British Columbia and UBCM designed to deliver infrastructure funding to local governments for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. UBCM administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C. in collaboration with the governments of Canada and British Columbia.

“The Honeymoon Bay water system is an excellent example of all levels of government working together to improve services for our citizens,” said UBCM President Robert Hobson. “UBCM is very appreciative of the support provided by the federal and provincial governments through the Gas Tax Fund.”

For further information on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For more information:

Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700

Ministry of Community and Rural Development
250-387-4089

Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
Union of BC Municipalities
250-356-2938

Gerry Giles
Board Chair
Cowichan Valley Regional District
250-743-5466

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148