The Beaver Creek Improvement District and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District have now adopted resolutions to complete the conversion of the Improvement District to a local service area of the Regional District as of June 1.
This will complete the process supported by the ratepayers in the Oct. 29, 2011 referendum.
Upon conversion all current assets and liabilities of the water system remain within the Beaver Creek water service area, which will have the current boundaries of the Improvement District.
Access to grant funding for key water system improvements will now be available for the Beaver Creek water system.
The Regional District has also allocated $800,000 for water system improvements in 2012. The improvement district and regional district have been cooperating on plans to replace the Kitsuksis reservoir and this will be the first major improvement to be realized.
The ACRD is seeking an additional $810,000 in grant funding to build a pump station to enable an interconnection with the City of Port Alberni water system. This would allow city water to be used on a temporary basis to alleviate boil water occurrences.
There are going to be cost increases realized by Beaver Creek, to upgrade the water distribution system and meet the treatment requirements of the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
It is important that any solution be cost effective for the residents of Beaver Creek, the release stated.
The funding secured by the Regional District to date has reduced the cost to local taxpayers by $800,000.
The ACRD will develop a plan to move operations from the current office on Beaver Creek road to the facilities at the regional district’s office located at 3008 Fifth Avenue.
Residents will be notified well in advance of any changes.
For any questions regarding the conversion please contact Russell Dyson at 250-720-2705 or rdyson@acrd.bc.ca.