The federal government has given the green light for funding to enhance underground water and sewer systems in BehchokÇ«Ì, N.W.T., as per statements from local authorities. The approved funds are specifically designated for Rae, while a separate request for similar upgrades in Edzo is still awaiting approval.
Residents of the community have been waiting for this funding for an extended period, with numerous households facing water access issues during past winters due to frozen pipes. Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe of BehchokÇ«Ì expressed the significant importance of the federal funding, noting the challenges faced by the community in recent times.
Chief Rabesca Zoe emphasized that the community government will persist in advocating for the Edzo funds, highlighting that the Edzo project is already planned and poised for implementation. This project is expected to be more extensive as around 95% of homes in Edzo are connected to the main water pipeline system, necessitating additional resources.
Pushp Seth, the senior administrative officer of BehchokÇ«Ì, refrained from disclosing the exact amount of funding allocated to the community, pending the formal signing of a contribution agreement. Seth mentioned that the community initially applied for the funds two years ago and has been actively pursuing support from the territorial government, even after an initial denial of the application.
Furthermore, the federal government has also sanctioned funding for a water intake study and upgrade. Seth highlighted the aged infrastructure of Rae’s water intake and the ongoing assessment with a contractor to determine if repairs or replacements are required.
The funding originates from the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), established in 2024 to support water and solid waste infrastructure projects aimed at bolstering housing supply nationwide. The total allocation for the Northwest Territories from this fund amounts to $74.2 million over a decade.
To access funding from CHIF, municipalities and communities in the territories must commit to certain climate-related measures, such as enhancing resilience to wildfires and permafrost thaw. CBC News reached out to Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada for additional details but did not receive a response prior to publication.
Seth outlined the forthcoming steps in BehchokÇ«Ì, which include analyzing funding requirements, finalizing design plans, and issuing requests for proposals. Construction is anticipated to commence next year, with a projected timeline of one to two years based on the project’s design.