B.C. First Nation unveils $25M wastewater treatment plant
The Ahousaht First Nation northwest of Tofino, B.C., is celebrating the opening of its new wastewater treatment plant.
The treatment plant opened on Wednesday on Flores Island, where the First Nation is located, just off western Vancouver Island.
The new wastewater treatment plant replaces the community's old facilities, which included a septic tank treatment and lift station, and an outfall pipe.
The old outfall pipe would funnel waste into a shellfish habitat, according to the federal government, and did not meet modern safety standards.
The new Ahousaht First Nation wastewater treatment plant is shown. (Ahousaht First Nation)
The new $25-million wastewater treatment plant was funded by the federal government, which was used for construction of the facility as well as new operational buildings and new outfall pipe.
Moving forward, the treatment plant will be operated by trained members of the Ahousaht First Nation.
"Ahousaht Nation acknowledges the collaborative effort that has been undertaken to accomplish the completion of the new wastewater treatment plant," said John Rampanen, Ahousaht elected chief coucillor, in a release Wednesday.
"As an oceanic people, our marine ecosystem and aquatic food systems are integral and interconnected to our way of life," he said.
"The improvements offered through this updated wastewater treatment facility will not only sustain our efforts to enhance and protect our environment, it will also greatly improve our quality of life."
The new Ahousaht First Nation wastewater treatment plant is shown. (Ahousaht First Nation)
Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu said the new wastewater treatment plant is a win-win both for the environment and for the health of future generations.
The Ahousaht First Nation currently has about 743 members living on its reserve, and the new wastewater treatment facility can accommodate up to 1,300 people.
"Wastewater plants are not always well understood as the critical infrastructure pieces that they are, but they play such an important role in community safety through water and environmental management," said Hajdu.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.