An application was approved by Port Alice council at their meeting Nov. 9 to apply for a $10,000 water distribution planning grant.
The infrastructure planning grant program offers grants up to $10,000 to help local governments plan, design and manage infrastructure.
The program can assist in the development of long-term comprehensive plans and feasibility studies that will improve public health and safety, enhance environmental protection and increase infrastructure sustainability. Funding is available for projects that support improved water, sewer, drainage, and other environmental infrastructure.
To be eligible for the $10,000 grant, the Village of Port Alice would have to contribute $5,000 in funding.
Chief Administrative Officer Ronald Campbell’s rationale for wanting to apply for the grant is due to the Village’s water distribution system being unique in that “to fill the water reservoirs water is pumped from the wells into the distribution system, charging the system and then filling the reservoirs. Further the system was installed in approximately 1965 using concrete asbestos piping which is no longer acceptable.”
Campbell added that the system is now over 50 years old and the Village “is experiencing pipeline failures.
The planning grant funds will be used to analyze the system and develop a phased modernization and replacement program to take place over a number of years.”
The Village is planning to have their $5,000 contribution taken out of their water reserve fund. “That’s the proper place to take the funds from,” confirmed Mayor Jan Allen.