The City of Cranbrook is moving forward with an official Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to consider the borrowing of up to $3.5 million to cover the city’s contribution for the construction of the Phillips UV Disinfection Facility Project, following approval of council Monday night (May 26).

The AAP process officially opens on Friday, June 6, and closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18.

An AAP is a form of approval available in the Local Government Act and Community Charter, that allows electors to indicate whether they are against a local government proposal moving forward. Legislation identifies a number of matters, including loan-authorization bylaws for long-term borrowing, where approval may be obtained through this AAP process.

The city needs a new water disinfection facility to enhance public health, promote climate change resilience, and improve services. The current single treatment system (chlorine gas) poses operational safety risks and does not meet the province’s Drinking Water Objectives (DWTO) for surface water suppliers.

These objectives require two treatment processes for water safety. A new facility with a dual-treatment system using UV disinfection and liquid chlorine will address safety concerns and improve water quality, especially by inactivating chlorine-tolerant pathogens like Cryptosporidium.

The facility also supports climate change resilience, as extreme weather events can deteriorate water quality. With the city’s growing population, the new system will ensure clean drinking water for over 20,499 residents and align with provincial standards.

On March 22, 2024, the City of Cranbrook announced it was successful in receiving $9,525,413.00 in Provincial and Federal Grant funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) – Green Infrastructure – Environmental Quality for the Phillips UV Disinfection Facility Project.

The city may proceed with borrowing unless at least 10% of electors (1,573 people) submit a completed Elector Response Form by 4:30 p.m. MT on Friday, July 18.

These forms must be submitted to Cranbrook City Hall and follow the city’s established format.

Only eligible electors can submit a form:

• Resident Electors must be 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, have lived in B.C. for at least six months, and have resided in Cranbrook for the last 30 days.
• Non-Resident Electors must be 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, have lived in B.C. for at least six months, own property in Cranbrook for at least 30 days, and not qualify as a resident elector

 Only one non-resident property elector per property may submit a form.

If fewer than 1,573 Elector Response Forms are submitted, the borrowing request will be considered approved and sent to the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs for further review. The total number of electors in Cranbrook is 15,727.

For more information about this AAP, the proposed Phillips UV Disinfection Facility project, financial information and Elector Response Forms, visit our website @ www.cranbrook.ca/aap.

City of Cranbrook

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