THE TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013
A5
Joining to enjoy multi-million JAMES job
Funding assistance helps flush out better biosolid treatment ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
land Valley Copper Mine near Logan Lake to be used for mine reclamation purposes. ignitaries from three levels of Abbotsford MP and International government and the commu- Trade Minister Ed Fast, Abbotsfordnities of Abbotsford and Mission Mission MLA Randy Hawes and celebrated the completion of the the mayors of Abbotsford and Mismultimillion-dollar upgrades to the sion, Bruce Banman and Ted Adlem, JAMES Wastewater pointed to the benTreatment Plant on First reported @ efits of cooperation abbotsfordtimes.com between the three Friday morning. The federal and levels of government provincial governments matched and the two Fraser Valley commuthe municipal contributions and nities. granted $2.17 million to improve the “Our government recognizes that plant’s water treatment system. it is important to work together The project saw the purchase and with our provincial and municipal installation, at a total cost of $3.5 partners to find innovative solutions million, of two new centrifuges that that meet our infrastructure needs,” operate at extremely high speeds said Fast. to force water from biosolids and Hawes said senior governments sludge at the plant. recognize the need to support infraThe new dewatering system is structure in local communities, and expected to operate more efficient- the project helps protect the Fraser ly, improve safety and water quality River ecosystem. Adlem thanked and reduce operating costs at the the federal and provincial governJoint Abbotsford Mission Environ- ments for their partnership and mental Systems ( JAMES) Treat- commitment to the project. ment Plant. Additionally, creating Nearly a quarter million people the drier biosolids has a positive in Abbotsford, Mission, Langley environmental impact by reducing and Sumas, Wash. will benefit from the amount of greenhouse gasses the JAMES plant upgrades, said emitted during the hauling process Banman, although few residents to B.C.’s interior. spend much time thinking about Approximately 95 per cent of the wastewater treatment. biosolids from the JAMES Treat“Treatment plants are invisible, ment Plant are trucked to the High- that is until they stop working,”
D
– ROCHELLE BAKER/TIMES
Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman, Abbotsford MP Ed Fast and Mission Mayor Ted Adlem gathered to celebrate the completion of upgrades to the JAMES Wastewater Treatment Plant on Friday. Banman said. “It’s critical to make investments to pass on a legacy of significant public infrastructure to future generations.” Fast said the federal and provincial governments have made significant investments to infrastructure in Abbotsford and Mission in recent years. “I suspect a whole lot more will be coming down the pipe,” he added. Ottawa isn’t currently considering
committing funding to Abbotsford and Mission’s future water source as a new funding proposal hasn’t yet been submitted after the Stave Lake P3 water project was rejected during the referendum in November 2011, said Fast. The federal government is undertaking a consultation process across Canada to develop a new infrastructure funding plan. “I expect that plan will be announced in the near future,” said Fast.
Funding for any future infrastructure projects in Abbotsford won’t necessarily be tied to P3 funding, as the Stave Lake plan was, he added. However, the federal government will still continue to grant funds to municipalities on a “government to government” basis. As the Fraser Valley is growing rapidly, Banman said he’d like to see funding so Highway 1 can be expanded to four lanes up to Hope, and a rail system constructed.
Looking for work? We can help.
Now, reading the Abbotsford & Mission Times is a multi-layared experience.
Introducing Layar, the app that adds a whole new experience to viewing the Abbotsford & Mission Times. Simply download it free to your iOS or Android phone, open the newspaper, look for pages and ads featuring the Layar logo then scan with your app to discover amazing extra layers of news, content and special offers. Layar – the smart download for smart readers.
Get the training and support you need to find and keep a job in B.C. Job search resources • Personal employment planning • Workshops and training • Specialized services
Abbotsford Community Services Society 103 – 33255 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, B.C. 604.859.4500 www.abbotsfordcommunityservices.com garrison.duke@abbotsfordcommunityservices.com Locations across B.C. WorkBCCentres.ca Vancouver Island 250.387.6121 TDD: 1.800.661.8773 Vancouver 604.660.2421 TDD: 604.775.0303 Elsewhere in B.C. 1.800.663.7867 TDD: 1.800.661.8773
Interact with the Times
The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.