Equipment upgrade completed at Ashcroft, Canada sewer treatment plant

Ashcroft village in British Columbia has completed improvements to equipment at its sewer treatment plant with support from provincial and federal governments to benefit around 1,700 residents.

The Village of Ashcroft sewage treatment plant caters to over 800 properties and treats more than 875,000l of effluent a day.

The new equipment will enhance the reliability of the treatment facility, while cutting energy costs and risk of harm to the local ecosystem.

Chilliwack, Canada Member of Parliament Mark Strahl said that the improvements to Ashcroft’s sewage treatment plant will help protect the marine environment, an important part of the community and the local economy.

"Our Government is pleased to be investing in infrastructure projects such as this one, that are important to Canadians and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment," Strahl added.

Ashcroft Mayor Andy Anderson said the upgrade makes the plant more efficient by being able to adjust down when demands are reduced, saving money on operations.

"This upgrade will also extend the life of the plant," Anderson added.

Ashcroft received a $400,000 grant from the Provincial Towns for Tomorrow programme to offset the cost of the project.

The grant, together with a $300,000 contribution from the federal Gas Tax Fund, allowed the village to implement the project without any long-term debt.

The federal Gas Tax Fund provides long-term financing to municipalities across the country to build and revamp their local infrastructure. To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $10bn in municipal infrastructure through the programme.