A joint investment of $25.4 million from the federal and provincial government, and the RDN, has been put towards improving the Regional District of Nanaimo’s French Creek Pollution Control Centre.
The centre currently treats wastewater Qualicum Beach, French Creek, Parksville, and neighbouring communities to reach approximately 29,000 homes and businesses.
Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcomson says the province is working in partnership with the other levels of government by investing $8.5 million to ensure the new facility is up-to-date and able to handle the growth in the region.
“We want everyone to have a safe, clean environment, so water treatment with a particular climate change focus is an ideal place for partnership,” Malcomson says. “French Creek has needed sewage treatment upgrades for some time.”
In a press conference, RDN director Ian Thrope said the last time upgrades to the facility were from 2006-2010 due to an increase in population and with the increasing even more the facility needs to keep up with demand.
Chair Vanessa Craig says she agrees with Thrope and added the new upgrades will meet the increased usage demand while protecting the environment.
“This grant enables us to make critical infrastructure upgrades that will meet the growing service demands in our communities,” Craig says. “I will also help protect the environment through effective and efficient wastewater treatment.
Including today’s announcement, the province says they have contributed a total of $295 million under the Green Infrastructure Stream, with a total of 95 infrastructure projects announced in BC.
The new facility is expected to start in 2024 and it’s expected to take three years to complete.
The federal government has invested $10,198,744 towards the project with the province putting in approximately $8.5 million and the RDN contributing $6.8 million.
The investments are part of the Investing in Canada Program.
