PEMBERTON, B.C. – The federal government has announced two communities on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast are receiving upgrades to water infrastructure.
Pemberton, B.C. will make upgrades with a combined investment of more than $8.1 million from the federal government, the Province of B.C. and the Village of Pemberton, a release said.
The project will construct a new water treatment plant and will include an oxidation and filtration system to lower iron and manganese levels in the source water.
The federal government is investing $3.2 million through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program in the water treatment plant with B.C. investing $2.7 million and the Village of Pemberton contributing $2.1 million.
A combined investment of more than $1.5 million from the federal government and Líl̓wat Nation with support from B.C. for rehabilitation will go towards improvements at Grandmother Slough, a fish-bearing stream within the Lillooet River floodplain.
The project includes removing invasive reed canary grass, upgrading four culverts at two major crossings – Main Street and Highway 99 East – to improve water flow capacity, enhancing hydrometric monitoring, and restoring natural infrastructure to protect the salmon habitat, the release said.
“This project will help restore and strengthen an area of both historical and ecological importance to the nation. Grandmother Slough has long been central to our community and its rehabilitation will greatly benefit our local ecosystem and environment.” Líl̓wat Nation Chief Dean Nelson said.
The federal government is investing $1.1 million through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for the Grandmother Slough Climate Adaptation Project and The Líl̓wat Nation, with support from the province, is contributing $391,801.