Comox Valley Water Treatment Project

About the Comox Valley Water Treatment Project

With funding secure, land acquisitions complete and a contractor in place, detailed planning and design is now underway for the Water Treatment Project with construction expected to begin in fall 2019.

The project involves developing a new water treatment system to serve communities in the CVRD including new intake infrastructure, pumping stations and pipelines, force mains, transmission mains and a filtration facility.

The $126 million project budget will be covered by reserves and grant funding. Only those connected to the Comox Valley Water System will be responsible for paying for the new system at an average cost estimated at $86 per household per year.

Read about why a new water treatment plant is needed or watch the video below to learn more. Note: Since this video was created the total cost estimate for the project has been increased to $126 million. The reserves contribution has been increased to $38.5 million, and the grant funding total is now $58.5 million. The maximum of $29 million for borrowing will not change, meaning the estimated $86/household per year remains as projected.

News Highlights

• July 2019 - Contract Awarded
  • The CVRD awarded the design-build contract to AECON Water Infrastructure Inc. and amended the project budget to $126 million.
  • Subcontractors looking for more information about provision of services should email AECON. 
• May 2019 - Licenses and Agreements Acquired
  • The CVRD successfully acquired all necessary water licenses and land use agreements setting a clear path for construction.
• January 2019 - Public Input Sought on Facilities Near Plant
  • The public was asked for input on trailhead amenities and of those results were shared with the design-builder for future planning.
• December 2018 - Land Acquired for Key Infrastructure
  • An agreement with the Fish and Game Association enabled the CVRD to acquire a key piece of land and statutory rights-of-way needed for construction.
• November 2018 - RFP Issued
  • An RFP for design and build of the new system was issued to three pre-qualified proponents.
• November 2018 - Grant Funding Secured
  • The Government of Canada and Province of BC committed $62.8 million in federal-provincial funding for the Comox Valley Water System and the Water Service (South) extension project.

Project Background

The Comox Valley water system provides drinking water to 45,000 residents, including the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox and the K’ómoks First Nation and needs to be updated. The current system doesn’t comply with the provincial surface water treatment objectives guideline.

Bringing the Comox Valley water system in line with other communities across BC, Canada and the developed world, the new system will deliver three main benefits:

• It will eliminate the need for turbidity-related boil water notices
• It will remove the risk of viruses and bacteria in our drinking water
• It will provide a secure supply of reliable, high quality drinking water for decades to come.

Water Agreement Signed with K’ómoks First Nation

The K’ómoks First Nation (KFN) and the CVRD signed a Mutual Benefit Agreement on September 28, 2018 confirming cooperation and collaboration in the management of water resources in the region.

In the signing of this agreement, KFN has stated its support of the Comox Valley Water Treatment Project and the CVRD’s water license application.

For more information about this agreement please see our news announcement.