
The federal and provincial governments are pitching in to help the District of Tofino fund a new wastewater treatment plant for the region.
Ottawa will provide nearly $22 million and the province will add $18.2 million to help pay for the $55 million project.
Under the federal government regulations, Tofino is required to build a wastewater treatment plant by no later than 2020.
Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne calls it incredible news.
“Tofino is receiving the largest infrastructure investment in our history to achieve our long-time goal of wastewater treatment,” she writes on Twitter.
“It’s what the spectacular natural environment of Clayoquot Sound deserves. Great for people, great for the ocean.”
The project will see a wastewater treatment plant and ultra-violet disinfection for treated effluent to service the District of Tofino, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and Parks Canada.
It is one of 15 water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects across B.C. to get funding of more than a $100 million through the federal government’s Investing in Canada plan.
The province is contributing nearly $80 million, while individual municipalities are kicking in more than $60 million.