PEMBERTON, BC — The Village of Pemberton (VOP) and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) have each been awarded funding through the Province of British Columbia Water Meter Pilot Project grant program to support the installation of water meters on all residential and commercial water services connected to the Pemberton water system.
Announced officially by the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs on May 6, 2025, two applications to the program were submitted by the VOP and the SLRD to enhance the Pemberton water system and ensure its sustainability and resilience. The VOP has been awarded $4,754,373 through the program, and $343,815 was awarded to the SLRD.
While each organization holds separate agreements with the Province, the VOP and the SLRD will collaborate closely on the procurement and installation process. Invitations to Tender will be issued to procure qualified contractors for installation across both jurisdictions. The pilot project applies to all properties, both commercial and residential, connected to the Pemberton water system. This service area includes all properties in the SLRD’s Pemberton North Water Service area, where residents receive water through a bulk supply agreement with the VOP.
Universal water metering supports the Village of Pemberton’s strategic priority to Protect Our Environment by advancing water conservation, preserving natural assets, and supporting responsible infrastructure investment. By the end of 2026, nearly all homes and businesses connected to the Pemberton water system will have a water meter installed. Each meter will be equipped with advanced metering technology, allowing for real-time monitoring by both the service provider (VOP) and property owners. This enables early leak detection, accurate tracking of water use, and improved system efficiency.
The technology will also play a critical role in supporting the pilot project’s data collection objectives. While data will be gathered over a six-year period as part of the provincial study, this will not result in immediate changes to how residents and businesses are billed for water. Instead, both the VOP and the SLRD will continue collecting and using this information to guide long-term infrastructure planning and water resource management.
The Province of British Columbia has committed $50M in 2025 to support water metering pilot projects across the province, with a focus on helping smaller communities explore the feasibility and benefits of universal water metering. The project is currently in early planning stages, with the joint tender process expected to launch in the coming months.
Quotes
“This project aligns strongly with our strategic priority to protect our environment and focus on sustainable, forward-thinking practices for the community. With this investment, we can better manage our water supply, help residents understand their own water use, deliver on our water conservation goals, and make informed decisions about our community’s infrastructure for the future. We are incredibly thankful for the province for supporting small communities like Pemberton as we take proactive steps to manage our natural resources responsibly and sustainability.” — Mayor Mike Richman, Village of Pemberton
"Climate Action, including environmental sustainability, is one of the key priorities identified in the SLRD's 2024–2026 Strategic Plan, and water conservation is critical to achieving that vision. Implementing universal water metering in the Pemberton North Water Service Area will support the responsible stewardship of water, one of our most important and limited resources. We are confident that implementing this provincially-funded pilot project, alongside the Village of Pemberton on their water system, supports a sustainable future for our communities.” — Jen Ford, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Board Chair
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About the Village of Pemberton
Incorporated in 1956, the Village of Pemberton spans approximately six square kilometres and is home to over 3400 residents and a vibrant business and agricultural community. Servicing as a municipal government, the Village of Pemberton is led by an elected Council and managed by an executive team responsible for various municipal services including, planning and development, park operations, recreation facilities and amenities, public utilities, bylaws and enforcement, emergency services, fire rescue, fiscal planning and financial services, legislative services, human resources, communications, and the administration of the Pemberton’s Official Community Plan.
About Pemberton, British Columbia
Located in the Coast Mountain range of British Columbia below the rugged peak of Mount Currie, Pemberton is known for its access to outdoor recreation and stunning mountain vistas. Situated on the unceded traditional territory of the Líl̓wat Nation, Pemberton honours the language, culture and history of the Lil̓wat7ul. Pemberton offers residents and visitors an authentic mountain culture with easy access to outdoor recreation including extensive hiking and biking trails and year-round backcountry adventure as well as local lodging, shopping, dining and arts and culture.
About the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
Located in southwestern BC, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is a local government federation consisting of four member municipalities (the District of Lillooet, the District of Squamish, the Village of Pemberton and the Resort Municipality of Whistler) and four unincorporated, rural electoral areas (A, B, C, and D). Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic centre of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of local, regional and sub-regional services to approximately 50,496 residents (2021 Census as certified by the Minister of Municipal Affairs).
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District is found within the traditional territories of several First Nations, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), St'át'imc and Líl̓wat. Small parts of the SLRD also overlap with the traditional territories of the Stó:lō, Tsleil-Waututh, Nlaka'pamux, Tsilhqot'in, and Secwepemc Nations. While the SLRD does not provide direct services to the residents of the First Nations communities located within the region, the organization is committed to enhancing relations with the Indigenous communities and First Nations within whose territories the SLRD operates.
Media Contacts
Village of Pemberton
Email: communications@pemberton.ca
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
Email: communications@slrd.bc.ca