January 25, 2012

British Columbia wastewater plant gets $8.1 million from federal gas tax

ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

Wastewater treatment for Abbotsford, Mission, Sumas and Langley, B.C. will receive a substantial upgrade with $8.1 million from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund. 

The “Joint Abbotsford Mission Environmental System” (JAMES) Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades increase the plant’s handling capacity by 61 per cent and improve the quality of the treated effluent discharged into the Fraser River. It is anticipated the upgrades will also allow the plant to meet or exceed both municipal sewage regulations as well as address anticipated federal regulations.

The plant will gain a new primary effluent pump station, secondary clarifier, biological sludge pump station, effluent pump station and waste solids thickener. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $18.9 million, with remaining costs to be provided through other funding programs or user rates.

Canada’s Gas Tax Fund (GTF) provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. On Dec. 15, 2011, GTF funding was made permanent by Ottawa.

DCN News Services

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