Abbotsford receives $62 million for new drinking water system to fight climate-crisis threats

The B.C. government announced Wednesday the Fraser Valley City of Abbotsford will receive $62 million in funding to upgrade its drinking water system.

The city of more than 165,000 people will have a new well and water-treatment system, the province explains, to “ensure a reliable, resilient water service” in response to growing climate-related threats.

“We’re creating a new, resilient water supply that will help ensure a safe water source during extreme weather events,” Nathan Cullen, minister of municipal affairs said in a prepared statement. “This project will create climate resilience by helping protect people, sustain public health services and keep businesses operating during these ever-increasing climate disasters.”

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The upgraded water system will help the city, the City of Mission, and Matsqui First Nation, the province says, as well as residential homes, a cancer facility, senior care homes, and farms and agricultural businesses.

“The City of Abbotsford is truly grateful for this significant investment by the province in a new drinking water system for our residents,” Henry Braun, mayor of Abbotsford, said. “A more reliable and resilient water source is one of our community’s most critical infrastructure needs, and we are thankful to be receiving support for this vital project.”

Pointing to the November 2021 floods which caused 85 per cent of Abbotsford’s water supply to be cut off, the province says the current water system is vulnerable to climate-crisis-related events, like flooding and wildfires.

“Climate resiliency is essential for not only the health and safety of people in our communities but also for their peace of mind,” Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, said. “We know the damage that atmospheric rivers can wreak, and by tackling these climate threats head-on, Abbotsford and the surrounding area will be better prepared for the future.”

Twelve new wells are included in the project, along with the construction of a water-treatment plant and a pump station which will tie into the existing regional system to bring the new water source to the community.

According to the province, the budget for the Abbotsford Drinking Water Resilience Project is $84.4 million and the shortfall of funding will be provided by the Abbotsford Mission Water Sewer Commission.

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