The federal government has given the green light for funding to enhance underground water and sewer infrastructure in BehchokÇ«Ì, Northwest Territories, as per local authorities. The approved funds are specifically allocated for Rae, while a separate request for similar upgrades in Edzo is still awaiting approval.
Residents have long awaited this funding, as numerous households have faced water supply disruptions during past winters due to frozen pipes. BehchokÇ«Ì Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe emphasized the significance of the federal funding, addressing the prevalent water issues in the community.
Chief Rabesca Zoe expressed that the community government will persist in advocating for the Edzo funds. The Edzo project is already designed and is poised for immediate implementation. Given that the majority of houses in Edzo are connected to the main water system, it will necessitate substantial resources.
Pushp Seth, the senior administrative officer of BehchokÇ«Ì, refrained from disclosing the exact amount of funding received, citing the pending formal contribution agreement signing. He anticipates the agreement to be finalized within a couple of weeks.
The community had applied for these funds two years ago and has been actively pursuing the support of the territorial government, even after the initial denial of the application. In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, federal funding has been approved for a water intake study and improvements in Rae. The funding stems from the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), established in 2024 to bolster water and waste infrastructure for housing expansion nationwide.
Municipalities and communities in the Northwest Territories must commit to climate-related initiatives, such as wildfire resilience and permafrost thaw mitigation, to access CHIF funds. The next steps in BehchokÇ«Ì will involve analyzing funding requirements, finalizing design plans, and issuing requests for proposals. Construction is projected to commence next year and may span one to two years based on the project’s complexity.