Local government infrastructure

Last updated on September 28, 2023

Infrastructure at the local government level facilitates the delivery of public services. The design and location of infrastructure can have a significant effect on a region's economic growth, community livability and overall health. B.C. government grants support local governments to plan, build and sustain these essential assets.

Municipalities and regional districts need infrastructure to provide services such as drinking water, sewage collection and treatment, garbage collection and recycling, fire protection, cultural and recreational facilities, and transportation.

Essential infrastructure for municipalities and regional districts includes:

Water systems, water treatment facilities and works, reservoirs, dams, wells, and pumping stations for the collection, treatment, storage and distribution of potable water
Wastewater systems, wastewater treatment plants, sanitary sewers, storm sewers and pump stations for the collection, treatment and disposal of treated effluent
Water or wastewater metering equipment
Buildings and facilities owned by local governments
Cultural and recreational facilities, such as museums, heritage sites, galleries, performing arts facilities, cultural and community centres, recreational and sports facilities, and libraries
Basic local government infrastructure to support or provide access to tourist facilities, major public attractions, convention or trade centres and exhibition buildings
Local transportation infrastructure, such as roads, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, traffic signals, public wharves, docks, piers and terminals
Urban public transit, including commuter rail, light rail and transit buses
Waste disposal such as landfills and recycling facilities
Other infrastructure, including those relevant to affordable housing, fire protection, street lighting, and internet access for local public institutions

Municipalities and regional districts provide this infrastructure to deliver their services, as well as promote sustainable communities. Sustainable infrastructure addresses current infrastructure in environmental, economic and social dimensions and supports future generations.

Water systems infrastructure

Infrastructure plays a fundamental role in protecting the health of community water systems. Poorly managed or designed infrastructure can cause or exacerbate issues such as excessive drinking water demand, wastewater effluent and contaminated stormwater runoff, and jeopardize a community's ecological integrity and overall prosperity. Local governments can implement different tools and strategies to improve their water systems infrastructure and address these and other issues.

Learn more about water systems infrastructure for local governments

Asset management for sustainable service delivery

Municipalities and regional districts are responsible for managing community infrastructure assets over the asset lifecycle. Application of sound asset management practices in the planning, building and maintenance of infrastructure can support this goal and aid in sustainable service delivery. This ensures that community service needs are met and that services are delivered in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible manner.

Learn more about asset management for sustainable service delivery

Infrastructure resources and grants

Local governments can access different tools and funding opportunities to help plan, develop and maintain their infrastructure:

Grants and other funding programs can assist with local government infrastructure projects.
CLIC, the community lifecycle infrastructure costing tool, enables local governments to determine the long-term lifecycle costs of alternate development scenarios.
Long-term energy efficiency and emissions reduction planning can yield significant infrastructure savings for local governments.
Local governments can utilize an approach referred to as "integrated resource recovery" to protect the environment from the potential impacts of urbanization and improve community livability.

Contact information

Victoria Office
250 387-4060

Toll Free
1 800 663-7867

INFRA@gov.bc.ca

Mailing

Finance and Infrastructure Branch

PO BOX 9838 STN PROV GOVT

Victoria, BC

V8W 9T1

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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