Funding will address arsenic contamination in Hedley and help Osoyoos complete critical water infrastructure upgrades while protecting municipal finances.
BOUNDARY-SIMILKAMEEN, BC — Lorne Doerkson outlined his plan today to deliver safe drinking water to Hedley and Osoyoos with a $50 million provincial commitment.
“British Columbians deserve safe drinking water no matter where they live,” said Doerkson. “Small communities shouldn’t have to drain their reserves or overload local taxpayers to get it. Our government will help them get the job done.”
Under David Eby’s NDP, Hedley residents have spent the entire summer with arsenic in their water above Health Canada’s maximum acceptable concentration. Boiling does not remove arsenic, and long-term exposure poses serious health risks. A Conservative government will invest $5 million to secure a new, permanent water source for the community’s roughly 142 households.
“Safe drinking water should never depend on your postal code or the size of your tax base,” said Donegal Wilson, Conservative candidate for Boundary-Similkameen. “Hedley gets a permanent fix for its arsenic problem. Osoyoos gets its treatment plant without an overwhelming bill. Our communities have done the work. They need a provincial government willing to step up.”
Osoyoos faces its own water crisis, with elevated manganese degrading its groundwater supply. The Town has already done the engineering and has a plan ready to build, yet after nine years in power, the NDP has offered no real help. A Conservative government will put $45 million toward the first two phases of the Town’s plan:
- The new Kingfisher Water Treatment Plant, estimated at $43.3 million
- Irrigation system upgrades to boost supply, at roughly $9 million
Without provincial support, Osoyoos would face doubling or tripling water rates to pay for the project. A Conservative government will support the town, so local taxpayers are not left holding the bill.
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Media Contact:
Alex Shiff, Director of Media Relations
media@conservativebc.ca
