The study identified multiple water supply alternatives...
The City of Dawson Creek is moving forward with planning for a long-term water supply system after completing the first phase of a feasibility study designed to identify options for securing the community’s future water needs.
According to the City, the Phase 1 Feasibility Study is now substantially complete and has provided new information on future water demand, climate resilience considerations, potential water sources, routing options, estimated project costs and implementation requirements.
The study identified multiple water supply alternatives that could be considered as planning continues.
At its August 24 regular council meeting, council approved the next phase of work for the Water Supply System Project, setting the stage for additional engagement, analysis and planning activities.
The City says the project will now proceed through a phased approach aimed at balancing technical progress with consultation, regulatory discussions, partnership development and funding preparedness.
Phase 2A will focus on engagement and project definition. Planned work includes continued discussions with Indigenous communities, residents, regulators, government agencies and other interest holders.
The City will also investigate partnership opportunities, funding options, regulatory requirements and approval processes while refining project objectives and preparing for future funding opportunities.
Following that work, Phase 2B would involve more detailed technical studies and field investigations.
The City says environmental, routing and land-related investigations would be conducted while remaining water supply alternatives are further evaluated and compared.
Public and stakeholder engagement is also expected to continue during that phase.
City officials say public and Indigenous engagement has been a priority throughout the project.
During Phase 1, the City followed an Interested Party Communications and Engagement Plan and an Indigenous Engagement and Collaboration Plan to support discussions,
The City says completing the feasibility study puts Dawson Creek in a stronger position to hold informed discussions about future water supply options, regulatory requirements, partnership opportunities and the overall direction of the project.
Despite the progress made to date, the City emphasized that the Water Supply System Project remains in the planning stage and that no preferred water source or route has been selected.
Once Phase 2A is complete, staff are expected to return to council with engagement findings, regulatory updates, funding-readiness outcomes and recommendations on future project direction.
Council will then decide whether to proceed with Phase 2B and the next round of technical investigations.
The feasibility study was launched to address long-term concerns about drought, climate change, population growth and the City’s dependence on a single source of water.
Four options still under consideration:
- Kiskatinaw River (baseline option)
- Peace River (Clayhurst)
- Peace River (Taylor)
- Pine River
The current Kiskatinaw River system would require an estimated $55 million in capital investments over the next two decades, with a lifecycle cost of approximately $85 million.
Among the new source alternatives, the Pine River option carries the lowest estimated capital cost at roughly $194 million, while the Peace River Clayhurst and Taylor options are estimated at approximately $255 million and $272 million respectively.
Those figures are preliminary Class D estimates and include significant contingency, engineering and inflation allowances.
The City says it will continue working to strengthen relationships with senior levels of government and position the project for future external funding opportunities as planning progresses.
Officials say residents will continue to receive updates and opportunities to stay involved as discussions surrounding Dawson Creek’s long-term water security move forward.
-with files from CJDC-TV News
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