The city has partnered with the upper levels of government to invest nearly $1.2 million in a flood prevention project.
The provincial, federal and local governments are chipping in one-third of the cost to stabilize about 165 metres of a 12-metre high gravel riverbank next to the PW605 collector well.
"Without this grant funding, one of the city's high-capacity collector wells, its power supply line and access road are all in danger of being undermined by aggressive river bank erosion," said Mayor Shari Green, in a press release.
Commissioned in 1972, the well serves more than 13,000 accounts in the west Bowl, UNBC, University Heights and upper College Heights - 10,800 of which have no backup water source, according to 2013 staff report to council.
In late 2011, river engineering consultants alerted the city to the severity of the erosion along the south side of the Nechako River, upstream of Wilson Park.
The work will include clearing and grubbing, slope trimming and regarding, geotextile and riprap placement, slope revegetation, road realignment and environmental monitoring. The approximate asset value of properties served by the well is $2.5 billion.
"This investment will go a long way towards protecting valuable public infrastructure, providing our community with stable long-term services," said Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris, in a press release.
The Prince George project is one of 26 totalling $27 million to help communities with flood protection, selected from local government or dike authority applications.
"Our government's partnership with municipal and provincial governments will ensure that we effectively mitigate flood risk and protect our homes, businesses and our people," said Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris, in a press release.
