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by
Jennifer Dart
The Westerly News
Feb.16, 2005
The Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services recently announced the provincial government's "BC Community Water Improvement Plan," will be part of the 2005 budget. The announcement, also made as part of the Feb. 8 Throne Speech, is a program aimed at enhancing municipalities' water systems.
According to the Vancouver Sun, this program comes as a result of reports of province-wide water system mismanagement and vulnerability, as well as an increase in the number of boil water advisories issued by provincial health authorities in recent years.
"Safe drinking water is key to the health of our communities and the day-to-day lives of British Columbians," said Min. Murray Coell in a Feb.5 press release. "We have made big strides in water related improvement projects over the past four years, but more work remains to be done."
Through this program, the provincial government will provide two-thirds of the cost of approved projects to improve communities' drinking water and waste water management systems.
According to the news release, local governments will be responsible for the remaining third. With the province funding $80 million for the project, and municipalities making up one third or $40 million, the total value of the program is $120 million.
The Chief Administrative Officers for both Tofino and Ucluelet confirm they will apply for any provincial water infrastructure help available.
The integrity of Ucleulet's water system was under scrutiny recently, when heavy rains affected both the Mercantile Creek and Lost Shoe Creek Aquifer water sources, necessitating a four day boil water advisory.
Ucluelet CAO Geoff Lyons says the disrtict will certainly investigate applying for the Community Water Improvement Plan, but he remains skeptical these funds can help all the municipalities in BC whose water systems need work.
"When you're talking about the whole province, these funds get watered down pretty quick," said Lyons (no pun intended).
Leif Pedersen, Tofino CAO, also says he will apply for any provincial money he thinks would be beneficial for that district.
The District of Tofino held a referendum in June of 2004 to determine if residents wanted to borrow money to extend the town's water line to the airport, where additional well sites and storage tanks are located. The $2-million proposal was voted down.
Tofino council recently approved a reduced scope version of the water improvement project to the south end of the district, making use of a similar provincial, federal, and municipal split funding scheme program (under the Canada - British Columbia Infrastructure Program).
Pedersen says he will investigate if Tofino's needs meet the requirements of the newly announced program.
According to the ministry press release, these requirements include: how much the project will improve the community infrastructure and sustainability, the community's fiscal position, and health and environmental effect of proposed projects.
Municipalities will have until Feb. 28 to apply for funds from the program.
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The Westerly News is published each Wednesday in Ucluelet. Phone: 250
726-7029
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