A new pump station in Courtenay is officially under construction.
The Comox Valley Regional District made the announcement on Friday, saying the work is part of the Comox Valley Sewer Conveyance Project, a project aiming to make the Valley’s sewer system more sustainable in the future.
The current station is vulnerable to flooding and poses an environmental risk to the waters of Courtenay River Estuary, Point Holmes, Goose Spit coastlines, Baynes Sound, harvesting sites, and agricultural areas.
The project will include retrofits to both the K’omoks First Nation and Town of Comox pump stations and installing over 9 kilometers of new sewer force main.
Because the sewer pipe runs through culturally sensitive lands, the district says they are working with the nation to mitigate impacts.
Elector Councilor of the nation Coral MacKay says they support this work.
“We will continue to focus on addressing the environmental impacts to Baynes Sound and the K’ómoks Estuary, to support our long-term goal of creating sustainable economic development that aligns with our K’ómoks values as Guardians of the lands and resources,” said MacKay.
The district adds in 2020, they ratified a community benefit agreement with K’omoks First Nation to work together on improving the sewer system.
They hope that through this project, they can bring safer and cleaner waterways for the community.
