As part of the Comox Valley Sewer Conveyance Project, upgrades to the Courtenay pump station are getting provincial and federal government support.
The federal government announced the funding today. They say $1,346,855 will come from the feds via the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure program and the province is contributing $8,455,267 to the project.
Together with the Comox Valley Regional District’s $3,565,016 contribution, a combined total of $13.3 million will be used to replace the pump station.
The regional district says it is susceptible to coastal and river flooding, which poses environmental risks to water in the Courtenay River Estuary, Comox Harbour and surrounding agricultural areas.
Comox Valley Regional District Sewage Commission chair Doug Hillian says the funding will be crucial to the community’s safety and resilience.
“Upgrading the sewer pump station to withstand seismic activity, as well as seal level rise is imperative for protecting our infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of our residents for years to come,” said Hillian.
The work also includes electrical and mechanical upgrades to two other pump stations that face flood risks and the replacement of over nine km of sewer pipeline. It will be moved further inland to avoid erosion and storm damage from rising sea levels.
Other work will include beautification of the site through the completion of a mural by a K’ómoks First Nation artist, landscaping and the construction of buried utilities and linkage to the existing system.
