Thousands of people living in Comox Valley and the surrounding area will benefit from sewer system upgrades to reduce the risks associated with rising sea levels and climate change, and help ensure the community can continue to count on clean waterways after a combined investment of over $13.3 million from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
Announced by Minister Sean Fraser, Minister Bowinn Ma, and Comox Valley Regional District Sewage Commission Director Doug Hillian, these improvements will keep the community safer by supporting the replacement of the current pump station in Courtenay, which is susceptible to coastal and river flooding, and poses an environmental risk to waters throughout the Courtenay River Estuary, Comox Harbour, and surrounding agricultural areas.
The work will also include mechanical and electrical upgrades to two other pump stations currently subject to flood risks, and the replacement and relocation of over 9 km of sewer force main, the pipeline that transfers wastewater from the pump station to the pollution control centre. Rerouting the current sewer force main further inland will help ensure it will withstand damage from shoreline erosion, water, rising sea levels, rocks, logs, storms, and earthquakes.
Additional work will include beautification of the site through the completion of a mural by a K'ómoks First Nation artist, landscaping, and the construction of buried utilities and linkage to the existing system.
