The Strathcona Regional District will receive $70,000 from the provincial government for its Walters Island Water System study.
This study aims to evaluate the system’s vulnerabilities and create a more resilient design that reduces the risk of catastrophic water shortages, according to the regional district.
The funding is part of the provincial government's move to better protect people and communities throughout the province from the increasing threat of natural and climate-related emergencies, according to a May 9 media release. The province is providing more than $40 million for 61 projects.
The province's funding program supports First Nations and local governments with projects that address natural and climate-driven hazards, such as floods, drought, extreme temperatures, earthquakes and landslides. Roughly $21 million is being provided by the new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program, in addition to almost $20 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
“The frequency of climate-caused events is increasing, and managing and reducing these risks is essential,” said Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Green in the release. “By supporting communities on these projects, we are helping to better protect these communities and the people who call them home. Our new DRIF program provides reliable, long-term funding so communities can better plan for and address their most pressing disaster-mitigation needs.”
