Princeton, B.C. on the Verge of Ending Multi-Year Boil Water Advisory

Residents of Princeton, B.C. are finally seeing progress in the aftermath of a devastating atmospheric river event that occurred over two years ago. The event caused millions of dollars in damage and displaced thousands of residents. However, there is hope on the horizon as the multi-year-long boil water notice could soon be rescinded.

The Town of Princeton recently announced that they are close to lifting the Boil Water Notice, with an estimated timeline for commissioning set for August – September 2024. This update comes as part of the Memorial Park Wells 1 and 2 replacement project, which aims to bring clean drinking water back to the town.

The project, awarded to Bree Construction in May 2023, has made significant progress. All permits and approvals are in place, the facility has been constructed, and underground infrastructure has been installed. The next steps involve the installation of mechanical and electrical components inside the facility, followed by tie-ins and commissioning.

Since the water wells were damaged in November 2021 due to flooding from the Tulameen River, around 70% of residents have had to boil their water or rely on a temporary water filling station for clean drinking water. The project, with a price tag of $4.5 million, received funding in June 2022.

Residents like Terry Greer have been eagerly awaiting the end of the Boil Water Notice, expressing frustration at the inconvenience caused by the ongoing situation. With the project nearing completion, the town is hopeful that clean drinking water will soon be restored to all residents of Princeton.