NEWS: SLRD receives $2 million grant for new Bralorne Wastewater Treatment System

A major infrastructure investment announced today will breathe new life into the tiny community of Bralorne and help to unlock its potential as a recreation destination. 

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has been awarded $1,999,530 from Canada’s Gas Tax – Strategic Priorities Fund to replace the town’s 90-year old sanitary sewer system – a relic of the Bralorne’s gold mining heyday.

The Bralorne Wastewater Collection System Upgrade and Secondary Treatment project will provide sewer servicing to about 100 properties in the remote mountain community of Bralorne in Electoral Area A of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD).

“The Bralorne sewer has been operating on borrowed time, but a replacement of the system was simply beyond the ability of the tiny local tax base to finance. A contemporary sanitary collection and treatment system is a cornerstone of a healthy community, and the SLRD is thrilled that the Bralorne community will soon have access to the same safe and adequate wastewater infrastructure as citizens living in larger communities. This funding is absolutely critical to achieving that and it is a great boost for the region.” Jack Crompton, Chair, SLRD

Project design, routing, and contract tendering will occur this year, with plant construction scheduled for 2017 and mainline construction, service reconstruction and the decommissioning of old infrastructure planned for 2018. The new system, expected to be fully operational by the fall of 2018, will feature an innovative, low maintenance treatment process with the potential to exceed current effluent quality regulations far beyond the capabilities of the current septic system.

“This upgrade is vital for securing renewal and stability for Bralorne and the Bridge River Valley. The aging sewer infrastructure has been a key barrier to economic development. Now, Bralorne will be positioned to capitalize on the growing backcountry adventure tourism industry and foster a vibrant, healthy and more prosperous future.” Debbie Demare, Director, Electoral Area A, SLRD
 

  Quick Facts

• The Bralorne Wastewater Collection System Upgrade and Secondary Treatment project is receiving $1,999,530 from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• The total estimated cost of this project is $2,000,000.
• This project is one of the 57 projects that are being funded through the Strategic Priorities Fund under the Federal Gas Tax Fund for 2016. 
• The Union of BC Municipalities administers the Federal Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
• Each year, the Government of Canada provides over $253 million in indexed funding for local government infrastructure projects across British Columbia through the federal Gas Tax Fund. The funding can be spent on any eligible project the community prioritizes across a broad range of eligible project categories, or it can be pooled with other communities for regional projects, banked for later priorities or used to pay for financed projects.

Download the federal news release here.

Download the Backgrounder here.