Lake Country Communities To Receive Funding To Update Agricultural Water Meters

Project approved under Canada's Small Communities Fund

Lake Country, British Columbia (Marketwired) - Residents of Winfield, Carr's Landing and Okanagan Centre will benefit from updated water meters thanks to joint funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Small Communities Fund.

The backflow prevention devices on agricultural connections being installed in these Lake Country communities will help protect the water system from contamination. This project requires updating approximately 200 water meters with new ones. The new meters will also help the region monitor water usage and identify opportunities to assure the long-term sustainability of the water supply for the area.

The project announced today is among those recently approved in British Columbia that will collectively receive more than $42 million in joint federal-provincial funding under the Small Communities Fund. These projects represent important investments in municipal infrastructure that maintain safe, healthy communities. Once complete, the work will significantly improve key municipal services for residents and help boost regional development.

Through the Small Communities Fund, the governments of Canada and British Columbia are working in partnership to provide funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs in communities across the province that have fewer than 100,000 residents. These investments support job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across British Columbia for years to come.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada will provide up to $394,018 through the Small Communities Fund for the project.
• The Province of British Columbia will contribute $394,018 to this project.
• Lake Country will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.
• The total estimated cost for this project is $1,182,056.
• Of the 21 projects approved for funding in British Columbia so far, 11 are drinking water projects, nine are wastewater projects, and one is a brownfield remediation project. Additional projects are under review and could also soon be approved.

Quotes

"We are proud to invest in projects like the agricultural water meter upgrades in Lake Country that will benefit our community by improving much needed local infrastructure. Our Government's commitment to municipalities, big and small, has never been stronger. Through the New Building Canada Plan's Small Communities Fund, we are investing in priority infrastructure projects that have a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life of British Columbia's residents while helping create jobs and economic growth."

The Honourable Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, On behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"This project is a great example of partnership between local, provincial, and federal government, and how improving infrastructure in communities across British Columbia continues to be a priority for this government. Our government is pleased to support this important water project. Once complete, residents of our region will have the confidence that the water system is more sustainable, for years to come."

Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture and MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country

"We put a high priority on having a safe, secure and reliable water supply that is sustainable. The universal water metering and backflow prevention program is part of Lake Country's contribution to environmental stewardship for the whole Okanagan water basin."

James Baker, Mayor, Lake Country

Associated Links

To learn more about the Small Communities Fund, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html.

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada's Economic Action Plan athttp://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/home-accueil-eng.html.

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