Media Release - West Vancouver Expands Supply of Filtered Water to Residents
Friday, September 16, 2011
The District of West Vancouver has opened a new membrane filtration water treatment facility at Montizambert Creek, which supplies water to residents north of Horseshoe Bay. The new treatment plant employs state-of-the-art membrane filtration technology, which removes fine particles and micro organisms, providing protection against waterborne diseases. Filtered water has significantly far less chlorine than conventionally treated water.
“Our Government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects that promote healthy and safe communities,” said West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country MP John Weston, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. “This investment demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to protect our water sources and ensure that area residents have access to clean, reliable drinking water.”
Over $2.6 million was jointly contributed by the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments to build this new water treatment facility. The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia contributed funds through the Canada - British Columbia Building Canada Fund - Communities Component.
“Population growth and aging infrastructure require outside the box thinking when it comes to providing key services, including clean drinking water,” said West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre. “This project exemplifies an innovative, environmentally-friendly approach to water filtration and will be a model for other communities to emulate.”
With the completion of this project, all residents of West Vancouver will receive filtered water. Water supplied from Montizambert Creek will exceed the regulations mandated by the Drinking Water Protection Act and Health Authorities of British Columbia, as well as match the quality currently delivered from the West Vancouver Eagle Lake Membrane Filtration Facility.
Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones said, “This project is a key part of West Vancouver's ongoing long-term plan to supply our own high quality drinking water. We are proud partners with the provincial and federal governments in the provision of this essential public resource."
The Canada - British Columbia Building Canada Fund - Communities Component is a federal-provincial program that addresses the unique infrastructure needs of both rural and urban communities with populations of less than 100,000.
Through this unprecedented Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Federal Government is providing long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada supports a stronger, safer and better country.
Since October 2008, over $5.6 billion has been committed by the province to over 900 infrastructure projects in British Columbia, which are estimated to create more than 36,000 jobs over the life of the projects.
About West Vancouver’s Water Supply
Residents in West Vancouver receive drinking water from three different sources: pre-treated water is provided from Metro Vancouver’s Capilano or Seymour reservoirs, while water from Eagle Lake and Montizambert Creek water is stored and treated by the District before entering the system. The Eagle Lake and Montizambert Creek sources provide about half of the municipality’s water.
The Eagle Lake and Montizambert Creek water sources were developed to help the municipality manage the increasing costs of treated water, reduce reliance on Metro Vancouver water, and increase the amount of water supplied locally.
Eagle Lake water has been treated with membrane filtration technology since 2009. Metro Vancouver’s Seymour-Capilano filtration project was completed in 2010. Development of the Montizambert Creek source began in 2010 and was completed in August 2011.
About the District of West Vancouver
The District of West Vancouver is the local government led by Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones and Council. Home to more than 44,000 residents, West Vancouver is a local government which strives to "inspire excellence and lead by example". Our Vision and Mission guide us to pursue our treasured quality of life and will be the measure of our success as a community. West Vancouver is a community built on innovation, a strong spirit of personal civic commitment and a deep value for relationships.
For more information contact:
Jaime Burke
Regional Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
Telephone: 250-953-3677
Jessica Delaney
Director of Communications
Cel: 604-360-8131
Direct: 604-925-4736
jdelaney@westvancouver.ca