The District of 100 Mile House is celebrating the approval of more than $1.6-million in funding for its Alpine Loop water project thanks to a federal-provincial investment from the British Columbia Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
Mayor Mitch Campsall credits much assistance for the approval to Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, who announced the local funding on behalf of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender on March 17.
"We have got to thank our MLA Donna Barnett in getting this for us. It's well appreciated," says Campsall.
"Everybody working together through this community really works well."
Campsall says District council and staff are all "delighted" to hear the funding will allow the water project to move forward to improve water pressure for fire suppression standards, as well as for better servicing households and businesses in its 99 Mile Hill area.
"Getting this new project is ... pretty exciting, because it was well needed, and it's just great. They don't have enough water up in that area. Even [though] fire protection is okay, we wanted to make sure it was better."
Barnett expresses the provincial government's pleasure in partnering again with federal and local governments to bring about the almost $2-million water works project.
"Investments like the $1.97 million for the Alpine Water System Upgrade in 100 Mile House will save costs in the future and improve the quality of life for our smaller communities."
With this province being among the most water-abundant areas in the world, ensuring its rural residents are able to have access to that water in a reliable and environmentally friendly way is crucial to its long-term sustainability, she explains.
In addition to the District's gratitude to Barnett and the federal and province governments for past funding assistance, Campsall credits everyone on staff and in the community working well together as a team to get this project done, from the planners and engineers to the contractors and public works employees.
Premier Christy Clark announced the province's $148.5 million commitment for the new Clean Water and Wastewater Fund last year, which combines with federal funding of $225.1 million for a total of $373.6 million to support rehabilitation of British Columbia's critical infrastructure.
Any funding-approved projects are cost shared 50 per cent in federal funds, 33 percent by the Province of British Columbia and 17 per cent from the local government.
Campsall adds this latest project money is separate to former funding and ongoing progress underway on the District's $6-million project for its newly upgraded Well #4 and current work on Exeter Station Road, discussed at the regular council meeting on March 14.
"Exeter Road is going as planned and under budget, as usual. It seems like everything we've been doing in the last five or six years has been under budget, and we've done very well."
After review of detailed tender evaluations on the four submissions it received from True Consulting, the council approved staff recommendations and awarded the Exeter Water System Upgrade tender for the majority of its 2017 work to Bree Contracting for $3,188,540 (including contingency and applicable taxes).