The ongoing fight for clean drinking water in Hudson’s Hope appears to be moving towards a resolution.
The district announcing they’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BC Hydro in December of 2024, marking the latest development in the community’s efforts to secure a permanent water treatment solution.
The agreement, a revised proposal submitted to the district in September 2023, will see BC Hydro commit to ‘complete’ a permanent water treatment system, and fund the rental of a water clarifier until the permanent one becomes operational, according to a notice from the district.
In the summer of 2022, Northern Health issued a boil water advisory and ‘do not consume’ orders due to a compromised water supply after a change in the water source during the construction of Site C -- the orders were lifted in July 2023.
Since then, Hudson’s Hope has been relying on a temporary water treatment plant, which purifies water from the Peace River, at a monthly cost ranging between approximately $27,000 and $75,000 for rental and maintenance.
In September of last year, community outrage over drinking water issues culminated in resident protests coinciding with a visit by BC Hydro executives. The public backlash was fueled by the District’s proposal to borrow nearly $5 million to fix the temporary plant, a cost that would fall on the residents in the form of tax increases.
The District says they are now working closely with BC Hydro to finalize the design and negotiate the terms of a final agreement.