Semiahmoo First Nation talking to Surrey about water supply to native land

Surrey utilities manager Jeff Arason says it would take very little work on the part of Surrey for it to supply water to the Semiahmoo First Nation, but the band would have to build significant new infrastructure on its land.

Arason says that could cost the First Nation up to $3 million.

"They would need to completely replace their entire pipe network and extend it to all the properties that they want. And we would be going from three-quarters of an inch up to six inches and would be replacing that with an eight-inch diameter water main," said Arason.

Right now, Semiahmoo gets its water from White Rock but negotiations to renew that deal have hit a snag.

Earlier this month, White Rock told the native band it has 18 months to find a new source of water.

​Arason said it's technically feasible for Semiahmoo to connect to Surrey's system.

He also said, if Semiahmoo is interested, Surrey could supply the band with sewer service, but that requires infrastructure upgrades as well.

"They're currently serviced by septic fields. They have no sanitary collection system, so they would have to put in a collection system that would collect waste water from all their properties down to a centralized pump station, and because they are located below our system, they would have to construct a pump station that would pump up to our station on Eighth Avenue," said Arason.

Semiahmoo leaders and Surrey's transportation and infrastructure committee have had one meeting to explore the opportunities.

A city staff report is due October 17.

Surrey has supplied water to the Katzie First Nation on Barnston Island for more than 10 years.