| November 30, 2009 $2.5 MILLION FOR SEWAGE INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC HEALTH CHILLIWACK – Residents of Chilliwack will benefit from over $2.5 million in joint provincial and federal funding for a sanitary sewer system that will replace existing septic fields. “This is a great project for our community, and when completed will protect our aquifer while benefitting local residents,” says Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP Chuck Strahl. “Replacing aging infrastructure is a priority and I have worked closely with Barry and John to ensure that this upgrade moves forward.” The funding for phase one of the project involves the installation of gravity sanitary sewer service for 295 properties in the Stevenson, South Sumas and Tyson area in Sardis. All of these properties use septic tanks and infiltration fields that were installed in the 1970s. A recent survey of residents indicates that 40 per cent of those who responded to the survey have experienced failed systems. “Replacing septic fields in the Sardis community will have multiple benefits,” says Chilliwack-Hope MLA Barry Penner. “Not only will this project help minimize our impact on the environment, it will also increase service reliability and create much-needed construction jobs.” “Existing properties with failing septic systems will be connected to the city's sanitary sewer system,” says Chilliwack MLA John Les. “This will eliminate public health concerns created by the malfunctioning systems and protect the groundwater quality in the area.” The federal $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure rehabilitation projects that will be built now and during the 2010 construction seasons. -30- | |
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