Anmore applies for provincial grant to replace old water-metering system

The Village of Anmore is hoping the province will foot the bill to replace its water-metering systems.

On Feb. 4, council unanimously approved an application to B.C.’s Water Meter Pilot Project, a $50 million funding pool offered through the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

“They’re looking for small communities of residential homes similar to what Anmore has,” said Lena Martin, Anmore’s acting CAO. “We have the ability to replace all of our aging systems.”

The provincial program, slated to start this year, is aimed at smaller municipalities needing to upgrade, replace, or implement water metering, thereby reducing demand, ensuring billing is more precise, improving service and planning, and supporting climate resiliency.

Small communities have limited capacity to implement the necessary changes and conversions, and the funding would be used for procurement and installment.

The cost to retrofit Anmore’s system comes in at just under $1.1 million, and municipalities can apply for grants of up to $5 million.

The program is open to communities with between 300 and 5,000 service connections, with a specific focus on communities comprised largely of single-family homes.

“Many municipalities are applying for this,” said Mayor John McEwen, noting the neighbouring Village of Belcarra also applied.

Selected communities are expected to collect water production and consumption data throughout the project, and participate in a parallel research project.

If awarded the grant, Anmore would be responsible for any cost overruns or ineligible expenses required to complete the project.

Coun. Doug Richardson raised some concern of replacing meters that are just over 10 years old, stating it was unnecessary unless they were defective. He said he was also weary about being responsible for cost overruns. 

“I want the grant, the work’s good, but I don’t want the liability of being forced to finish something that’s perhaps not completely necessary,” Richardson said.

Martin said she did not think overruns would be an issue, stating the stipulation was only included so municipalities finish the projects once they begin.