2012- McBride, the economic centre of the Robson Valley, is a vibrant, rural community. Forestry, agriculture, tourism and small business form the community’s economic base. McBride’s water and sewer infrastructure was in need of urgent upgrades and expansion in order enable the Village to issue new building permits and facilitate economic development in the community. McBride’s wastewater system discharges directly in to the Fraser River, creating an adverse impact on a valuable natural resource that is directly tied to the sustainability of McBride and the Robson Valley.
In 2008, the municipality initiated an enthusiastic project that will see McBride’s wastewater system transformed into a new modern facility, providing clean water to several new land developments in the village. This three-phase project includes the installation of adequate storm sewer lines, a second lagoon to prevent accidental release of raw sewage into river flow, and the creation of a new wetland. The creation and fostering of a wildlife habitat will serve to interpret and educate residents as well as tourists, showcasing a sustainable approach to wastewater treatment and rural industrial development. The plan has alleviated the immediate problems associated with the previous aging infrastructure, while also enhancing the quality of water discharged into the Fraser River and creating long-term benefits that improve McBride’s overall community sustainability.
This project is part of a multi-year development that has been supported through two additional investments by Northern Development for Village of McBride projects:
