Construction is flowing on the Comox Valley Water Treatment Project.
It includes a pipeline that will move treated drinking water from the new treatment plant to the existing transmission system.
Part of the pipeline will be installed beside the existing BC Hydro penstock corridor.
The Comox Valley Regional District has started tree clearing to open up a wider corridor for large construction equipment and excavated material.
Work will continue through the winter, spring and summer months, with the pipeline installation expected to wrap up by fall 2020.
BC Hydro is also continuing to work on its penstock recoating project through 2020.
From here on, the south side of the penstock will be largely closed off to public access, including adjacent trail systems.
There will also be times this summer when the north side of the penstock corridor may be temporarily closed off.
CVRD manager of capital projects, Charlie Gore, is reminding you to follow safety signs, and avoid active construction areas at all times.
“Signage and closure notifications will be posted in the area when necessary to ensure public safety,” Gore said.
BC Hydro spokesperson, Stephen Watson, says while the penstock corridor is an operational area and not a park, “we do understand people like to walk and hike within that area as it adjoins nearby trails.”
“When we removed our old and abandoned penstock works a few years ago, and to date with the recoating project that is to protect our steel penstock from corrosion, the public has obeyed site signage for everyone’s safety,” Watson said.
“It will be a very busy corridor with both projects occurring at the same time, though with good coordination, so we advise people to use alternative recreation trails in 2020.”
The district says the $126-million-dollar Comox Valley Water Treatment System “will provide safe, high-quality drinking water to communities in the CVRD.”
Long-term supply of water to the new system was confirmed earlier this year, via a water use agreement signed with BC Hydro.
For more information about this project, click here.
