Recent upgrades to the JAMES Wastewater Treatment Plant help the environment, and reduce operating costs, according to local politicians who gathered Friday morning to announce the completion of the work.
The facility serves Mission and Abbotsford, and a $2.17-million investment from the Canada B.C. Municipal-Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) was used to purchase and install two new centrifuges that will remove water from bio-solids and sludge.
About 95 per cent of JAMES bio-solids are hauled up to Highland Valley Copper Mine near Logan Lake for mine reclamation purposes. Drier bio-solids cut down on greenhouse gases emitted through transportation.
Mission Mayor Ted Adlem said the new system increases efficiency, safety and water quality.
Also, he said, with the federal and provincial governments providing the money, it's tax dollars Mission can now save to fund a water system that will be needed around 15-20 years from now.
Abbotsford-Mission MLA Randy Hawes, plus the mayors of both communities spoke briefly and noted the importance of being able to work together on these types of mutually beneficial projects.
"We've worked very closely with the provincial government, and we couldn't ask for better partners," said MP Ed Fast, the federal minister for International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.
Fast facts:
• The CBCMRIF supports the continued growth of B.C. communities as greener, healthier and more sustainable places to live.
• Aside from drier bio-solids, some other key project benefits include less potential for airborne contaminants, a safer work place for employees, and increased capacity for future growth.
• The Joint Abbotsford Mission Environmental System (JAMES) Wasterwater Treatment Plant is located in Abbotsford on the shore of the Fraser River, and is jointly owned and operated by the City of Abbotsford and District of Mission.