July 7, 2026 – NEWS RELEASE – City of Grand Forks Completes Initial Construction Phase of New East Zone Water Reservoir

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NEWS RELEASE

July 7, 2026

City of Grand Forks Completes Initial Construction Phase of New East Zone Water Reservoir.

[Grand Forks, B.C.] – The City of Grand Forks completed initial construction work on the new East Zone water reservoir. Designed to replace an existing underground concrete reservoir, the new glass-fused-to-steel tank will hold approximately 5.9 million litres (1.6 million gallons). The East Zone reservoir is the City’s largest and provides water storage for most of the City.

The next phase of construction will include connecting the reservoir to the City’s water network, installing security, control, and monitoring systems, and commissioning the reservoir. This will involve testing, system integration, and final operational checks. This final stage is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026, at which point the new reservoir will be fully operational, enhancing the City’s water storage capacity and supporting reliable service for residents and businesses.

“This project is an important investment in Grand Forks’ future and a key priority identified in Council’s 2026 Strategic Plan,” said Mayor Everett Baker  “Upgrading critical infrastructure like our water system helps ensure safe, reliable service for our community today, while supporting growth and resilience for years to come.”

Site preparation for this project began in September 2025, with primary construction starting in March 2026. This project was funded primarily through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a partnership between the federal and provincial governments, with additional contributions provided by the City. More information about ICIP is available at infrastructure.gc.ca.

The replacement of the aging reservoir represents an important commitment to modernizing essential infrastructure.

QUOTES

Mayor Everett Baker:

“This project is an important investment in Grand Forks’ future and a key priority identified in Council’s 2026 Strategic Plan. Upgrading critical infrastructure like our water system helps ensure safe, reliable service for our community today, while supporting growth and resilience for years to come.”

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Media contact:

Everett Baker

Mayor

City of Grand Forks

250-442-8266 x 60154

BACKGROUND

About the Grand Forks East Zone Water Reservoir Project
The City of Grand Forks completed construction of the new East Zone Water Reservoir. The new water reservoir was built to replace an aging underground concrete reservoir an

d to improve the reliability and capacity of the City’s water system. The East Zone Reservoir is the largest in the City’s network and plays a critical role in providing water storage and maintaining consistent supply and pressure for the majority of Grand Forks residents.

Video Link:  Grand Forks Reservoir Construction Timelapse

Video Description: The 2-minute timelapse video captures the construction of the Grand Forks Reservoir tank, highlighting key stages of the project from site preparation through to completion. The footage provides a visual overview of the reservoir’s development and the progress achieved throughout construction.

July2026 – News Release City of Grand Forks BC – Water Reservoir