Below is a brief summary of some of the significant milestones reached over the past few years.

Leak detection

April 22, 2010 - City crews are performing a leak detection and repair program in the West Quesnel Land Stability study area. This involves locating all hydrants, water main valves and curb-stops.

Some curb stops have been paved over or landscaped over without the City's knowledge. These must be located and extended to the surface where possible. Some damage to driveways/landscaping may occur, but it will be repaired.

There may also be water system shutdowns for short periods of time.

The leak detection program is a critical part of the West Quesnel Land Stability Program. By keeping water out of the ground, the City can reduce the groundwater levels and pressures that are causing the movement.

The City thanks residents for their patience as this critical survey and repair work is done.

For more information, contact the utilities department at 250-992-6330.

West Quesnel Land Stability update

Land Stability program receives funding

Sept. 24, 2009 - The City of Quesnel has received more than $3.14 million from the Building Canada Program to go towards a full-scale dewatering program for the West Quesnel Land Stability Program. The City will be responsible for providing $1.57 million as its share of the project funding. The news was announced yesterday afternoon by the federal and provincial governments.

For more information, click here.

To view the provincial government news release, click here.

Open House hosted by City

June 12, 2009 - The City hosted an Open House on Thursday June 11 at Voyageur Elementary. The results of the program to date as well as a summary of the proposed next steps was covered. Roughly 40 people attended the meeting.

Here is a copy of the Presentation.

To read the newsletter about this meeting, click here.

To view the map of the proposed dewatering program, click here.

City applies for grant funding

May 2009 - A full-scale dewatering and drainage program has been developed. The City is now actively seeking funding from senior government to support the program's implementation.

At its regular Council meeting of March 9 2009, Council directed staff to submit an application to the Building Canada Grant program for the West Quesnel Land Stability Program.

The application asks for approximately $11.9 million: $3.47 million for pumping and monitoring wells; $7.45 million for new storm drainage systems; and $1 million for a leak detection program. The City would be responsible, if the grant is successful, for providing one-third of the project’s total cost, or $3.98 million.

That application has been submitted and is being evaluated by the provincial government.

City proceeds with dewatering development

November 4, 2008 - Council authorized spending approximately $61,000 to design a full-scale dewatering program for the West Quesnel Land Stability study area. Monitoring costs for 2008 are well below budget, which left a surplus of $85,522 in the West Quesnel Land Stability account. This surplus will be used to design the next phase of the program. The City will advise the Ministry of the proposed action and seek endorsement of the plan.

The City has invested more than $1 million towards finding a lasting solution to the WQLS issue. The provincial government has provided close to $1.2 million.

Trial dewatering program complete

Spring 2008 - The trial dewatering program for the West Quesnel Land Stability study area is complete. Results showed that in areas where water was removed from the ground, nearby monitoring stations showed decreased groundwater levels and pressures, which is viewed as key to slowing the movement. The City's engineering firm has recommended developing a fully-costed dewatering program as the next step in the process. The final reports have been submitted to the provincial government for technical review.

Provincial Government Funding Commitment:

In early 2006 the Province of B.C. committed $1.2 million toward the funding of the next phase of work for the West Quesnel Land Stability Program. This commitment resulted from extensive lobby efforts which were supported by Quesnel residents who wrote letters and post cards to reinforce the need for funding from the provincial government.

Professional Review by Leading Geoscientist:

As part of the application process for provincial funding, the Province engaged the services of Dr, Norbert Morgenstern of the University of Alberta, to conduct a professional review of the West Quesnel Land Stability Program. Dr. Morgenstern is recognized as one of the leading geoscientists in North America and Quesnel is fortunate to have the benefit of his expertise.

Dr. Morgenstern confirmed the direction of the West Quesnel Land Stability Program and is very supportive of the initiative. He confirmed the validity of the engineering work to date and provided guidance for the next steps.

West Quesnel Land Stability

Leak detection

West Quesnel Land Stability update

Land Stability program receives funding

Open House hosted by City

City applies for grant funding

City proceeds with dewatering development

Trial dewatering program complete

Provincial Government Funding Commitment:

Professional Review by Leading Geoscientist:

Downloadable PDFs

Quick Links