Dawson Creek Mayor Darcy Dober and five city council members are in Victoria this week for the Union of BC Municipalities convention.
They are meeting with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the Ministry of Water to discuss a plan of action and potential funding, as the city continues its search for a new water source.
“In the past, the city has done everything possible to get the most out of the Kiskatinaw River, but we are back to square one. The Kiskatinaw has dried up,” said the mayor.
Dober said they now realize there are no other options but to find a new water source.
The Dawson Creek Water Supply System project entered the early engagement stage earlier this month after a review by the province’s Environmental Assessment Office.
The project would draw water from the Peace River near Taylor and transport it 52 km to the city in a new pipeline.
The mayor said the pipeline is expected to cost over $100 million, with construction projected to begin in 2027.
The city plans to request an exemption from the requirement for an Environmental Assessment Certificate.
Until the main project is completed, Dober said the city must prepare for the worse-case scenario.
“Unless we have a lot of moisture before it freezes, we’ll be in need of help from the province. We have about 150 days of water left in our reservoirs,” he said
Dober explained that the short-term plan is to pump water from the Piece River into the city’s current reservoir, a process that could cost up to $8 million over five months.
The mayor said he has asked the province for emergency help to move the short-term plan forward. He added that residents of Dawson Creek should not be concerned, as the province seems open to help.
The public comment period for the main project’s early engagement phase is open from September 23 to October 23.
The community can participate by attending an Open House Information Session, or a Virtual Information Session. Dates and locations are available on the city website. The city will also engage with Indigenous communities.