Press Release: District of Ucluelet Water Treatment System Upgrades Advancing to Construction Phase
Ucluelet, B.C. — The District of Ucluelet is proud to announce major upgrades to its community water treatment system, an investment that will deliver cleaner and clearer water, while supporting long-term community growth.
This landmark project is the result of years of careful planning, technical assessment, and collaboration between multiple agencies, all working toward a shared goal: ensuring Ucluelet’s drinking water system meets modern standards and serves residents reliably for decades to come.
Ucluelet’s water comes from the Lost Shoe Creek Aquifer and is safe to drink. However, naturally occurring iron, manganese, and turbidity, along with the required use of chlorine, create operational challenges and can occasionally cause discolouration in the distribution system. A comprehensive review confirmed the need for an upgraded treatment approach to fully align with the latest Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
After testing and evaluation, the District selected a state-of-the-art treatment system that combines filtration, chlorine disinfection, and ultraviolet inactivation. This modernized process will deliver brighter, clearer water, increase system reliability, and provide the capacity needed to support Ucluelet’s growth for the next 30 years.
The District gratefully secured approximately $7.04 million in grant funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, whose support has been vital in making this project possible. Additional financial support was approved through the Alternative Approval Process for Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1304, 2022, enabling long-term borrowing of up to $13 million.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with system commissioning continuing into early 2027. The total project budget of $14,034,547 remains on track and within the funding parameters approved by Council.
Several major project milestones have already been reached. Detailed design was completed in September 2025, and the construction contract has been awarded to Ridgeline Mechanical Ltd. Bulk excavation began in November 2025, with installation of the new prefabricated building and treatment equipment set to follow throughout 2026.
“Reaching the construction phase of this project is a major milestone for the District of Ucluelet and represents a giant step in strengthening the community’s water system,” said Will Greaves, Member of Parliament for Victoria. “Our government is proud to see years of planning, collaboration, and community support coming together to deliver a modern water treatment system that will serve residents for decades to come.”
“Residents will enjoy cleaner, clearer water every day, thanks to this upgraded system designed to keep pace with Ucluelet’s growing needs,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “Investing in modern infrastructure is about protecting health, supporting families and strengthening communities. We’re happy to work with all levels of government to deliver projects that benefit people for decades to come.”
“This project marks an important step forward for our community. It’s been a long-standing priority, supported by years of planning and hard work. Upgrading our water treatment system will improve the quality and reliability of our drinking water and ensure our infrastructure can meet the community’s needs well into the future.”– Mayor Marilyn McEwen.
The District of Ucluelet will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, March 31, at 11:00 AM to officially kick off construction of the new water treatment system. Council and project partners will gather to mark this important milestone and recognize the funding and teamwork that made the project possible. The event will celebrate the start of work on an upgraded system that will improve water quality and support Ucluelet’s needs for many years to come.
For Media Inquiries contact:
Brendan Petrasek – District of Ucluelet
bpetrasek@ucluelet.ca
250-534-9118