Residents of Dawson Creek had the opportunity to voice their opinions on a proposed $100 million water pipeline during a public event on October 8. The pipeline aims to tackle the local water scarcity issue in the city, which has been exacerbated by a prolonged four-year drought in the South Peace region.
Currently, Dawson Creek and surrounding areas rely on the Kiskatinaw River for drinking water, but with the river levels at record lows due to the drought, the city is exploring alternative water sources. One potential solution is to connect to the Peace River near Taylor, B.C., approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Dawson Creek, utilizing an existing pipeline corridor.
Consultation for the project is essential with Treaty 8 First Nations, landowners along the water line route, and the public. Residents like Theran Bassett, a Dawson Creek native, emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging stricter regulations on industrial water usage and proposing that industry stakeholders bear the costs of the pipeline construction.
Mayor Darcy Dober of Dawson Creek highlighted the critical need for a reliable water source for the community, with the proposed pipeline also benefiting the neighboring Village of Pouce Coupe. Former Pouce Coupe Mayor Joe Judge supported the pipeline as a necessary response to the drought, emphasizing the vital importance of securing water resources promptly and effectively.
The concerns of residents like Clifford Gauthier, representing the Kelly Lake First Nations Society, and Grace Prier, a long-time Dawson Creek resident, underscore the growing apprehension about water scarcity in the region. As the city moves forward, the focus is on obtaining an exemption from the Environmental Assessment Office to expedite the approval process for the new water source, streamlining what would typically be a five-year procedure into a two-year timeframe. This exemption is crucial for advancing major projects like the proposed water pipeline, subject to regulatory approval by the EAO, a provincial government agency.