An Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is underway to determine public support for the Comox Valley Water Treatment Project.

Construction of the new water treatment system is estimated at $110 million. Under the proposed strategy, the project will be funded through a combination of at least $55 million from grant funding, $26 million from reserve funds and up to $29 million through long term borrowing.

The AAP will determine the public’s support for the borrowing portion of the proposed financial plan.

Those who do not support borrowing the $29 million in funds that are required to complete the project, may submit an elector response form. The number of eligible electors has been determined to be 47,845. If fewer than 10 per cent (4,785) of electors submit forms by the deadline, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) may proceed with borrowing the necessary funds.

While all residents of the Comox Valley (except residents of Cumberland) are eligible to participate in the AAP, only those connected to the Comox Valley Water System will be responsible for paying for the new system. The average impact to Comox Valley Water System users is estimated at $86 per household, per year, over a maximum of 25 years.

Elector response forms are available online at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/AAP or at the CVRD’s office located at 600 Comox Road in Courtenay. The deadline for delivering the signed elector response forms to the CVRD is 4:30 pm on Friday, March 16, 2018. Forms must be received before the deadline to be counted. The elector response forms may be delivered in person, by fax, or by email and must include the elector’s signature. For this reason, forms submitted by email must be printed and signed before being submitted electronically.

For further information about the AAP, please visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/AAP, email administration@comoxvalleyrd.ca or telephone 250-334-6000.

The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.