@District of Oak Bay
VICTORIA – Stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Oak Bay will undergo significant upgrades thanks to a combined investment of more than $8.8 million from the federal and provincial governments along with the District of Oak Bay.
Announced by Minister Sean Fraser, Minister Anne Kang, and Mayor Kevin Murdoch, this project will transform the sewer system in Oak Bay.
Funding will improve both stormwater and wastewater management by separating the existing combined sewer system in the Uplands neighbourhood of the district. During heavy rainfall, combined systems are susceptible to overflow, causing effluent to be discharged into local bodies of water. While most contaminants are filtered out before the untreated water is reintroduced into the environment, overflows can still have a negative impact.
Constructing new storm sewers and outfalls will allow the current system to be used exclusively as a wastewater sewer, helping to safeguard the community from flooding and the environment from possible adverse effects.
“Infrastructure is the backbone of a community, and while not always seen, it serves a vital role in livability. This investment from all three levels of government helps ensure that residents of Oak Bay and the wider region are better prepared for the impacts of climate changes and that our natural waterways and environment are protected,” said Kevin Murdoch, Mayor of the District of Oak Bay.
The federal government is investing $3,535,580 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The provincial government is investing $2,946,022 and the District of Oak Bay is contributing $2,357,349.
Source: District of Oak Bay
