February 12, 2016 Barriere, British Columbia
The District of Barriere has been awarded a $4,836,735 dollar gas tax grant for 100% funding of new twin
production deep wells, a second reservoir for the south end of the existing distribution system and an
upgrade to the main line between Bradford Rd and Barriere Lakes Rd. These improvements will provide
the District of Barriere with a very robust and secure water system that will be sustainable over the long
term.
With two existing deep wells nearing the end of their productive life, the two new wells will be supported
by the younger existing well while the older deep well and another shallow ground water well will be taken
out of service. The new reservoir on the south end of the system will increase the quantity of water
immediately available for fire protection and distribution throughout the District. A water main upgrade
from Bradford to Barriere Lakes Rd. will eliminate a bottleneck created by old under-sized
asbestos/concrete (A/C) pipe.
The project will take two to three years to complete all of the phases. Work will begin on the upgrades as
soon as tenders are prepared and awarded and weather permits.
“Potable water is the life blood of a community. With this grant the community is ensured a source of safe,
clean drinking water, as well as fire protection, for many years to come. Without this grant the District
could not have undertaken this project. Thank you on behalf of the citizens of Barriere,” stated Virginia Smith, Mayor, District of Barriere.
Quick Facts
• The Strategic Priorities Water Supply and Distribution Improvements Project is
receiving $4,836,735 from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• The total estimated cost of this project is $4,836,735.
• 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.
Quotes
“Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, the Government of Canada is allowing communities in BC, and all
across Canada, to make informed decisions about their infrastructure investments and how best to spend
federal dollars. Community officials are best positioned to identify their specific needs, and the federal
Gas Tax fund supports them in making those strategic investments. These 57 projects will contribute to
building the strong, inclusive and sustainable communities Canadians desire to live in,” commented the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
