Province, feds commit $9.9 million for Cultus Lake wastewater treatment facility

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Taryn Dixon, a director on the Fraser Valley Regional District for Electoral Area H representing Cultus Lake, Soowahlie First Nation, and Columbia Valley, thanked the many government partners who were instrumental in securing the funding and moving the project forward.

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“This is such an exciting day for our community,” said Dixon. “I was first elected as Area H Director in 2014 and in April 2015 I found myself chairing a Liquid Waste Management Committee.  I had no idea what I was doing or what it was about and soon found myself talking about liquid waste, biosolids, Class A facilities and much more. Cultus Lake is a jewel in our area and our province and the members on the LWMC made it very clear that it was important to protect. There have been a few bumps along the way but I am thankful that today we are here to celebrate with our CLPB Partners and I am looking forward to working together with them.  This new Waste Water Treatment Plant will be another step toward protecting Cultus Lake for generations to come.”

Some of those bumps along the way may have involved grant applications that were declined. The Fraser Valley Regional District had previously applied for multiple grant funding opportunities towards the Cultus Lake Sewer Project. For the New Building Canada Fund (Small Communities component), FVRD applied for a project cost of $9.6 million, but the application was not successful. In 2016, FVRD applied for a grant funding opportunity for $6.5 million. This application for the total scaled-down project was also unsuccessful. In 2017, the FVRD applied for a grant of $3.1 million under the “Investing in Canada Infrastructure” program, rather than requesting the entire project amount. This application was unsuccessful.

Still, speaker after speaker at Thursday’s press conference was upbeat and did not dwell on any negatives.

“What a wonderful way to go into the holiday season,” said Jason Lum, chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District board of directors. ““This project means so much more than simply replacing aging infrastructure in Electoral Area H. It represents a commitment by all levels of government to improving the health of Cultus Lake. The new Wastewater Treatment Plant is a cornerstone of the community-developed Liquid Waste Management Plan. The FVRD is grateful for this financial support to achieve the long-term vision of that plan, preserving fish habitat and recreational values and protecting a sustainable resource.”

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML

“The Cultus Lake Stewardship Society is a network of over 60 organizations and individuals, all interested in the future of Cultus Lake,” said Christina Toth of the stewardship society. “Effective management of wastewater will have a significant impact on cultural eutrophication, reducing the impacts of human-caused nitrogen and phosphorus entering the ecosystem. It is critical that we continue to work together to keep Cultus Lake in balance, protecting aquatic species for generations to come.”

Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon added, “Cultus Lake is a jewel of the Fraser Valley for residents and tourists alike. By supporting essential infrastructure, our government is improving the environment, relieving pressure on the local government and providing services residents expect. I’m thrilled to see the collaboration of local, federal and provincial governments to protect Cultus Lake.”