The president of Trans Mountain says the corporation and the Coldwater Indian Band are working together on possibly re-routing part of the pipeline expansion.

Ian Anderson says he respects the band’s positions which is the protection of their water source, and he says the two sides are working together on an alternative route.

“We’ve started doing work with the band to understand the aquifer dimensions, depth, recharge, etcetera. It’s in proximity to our approved right-of-way corridor through the territory. So we’ve started that work, which is important work to do. That will kind of inform the band and us on the aquifer situation,” Anderson says.

“I think their firmly-stated is, and I respect it entirely, the protection of their water, and how important the aquifer is and water is to the community, and that’s my charge as well. I’m hopeful if we can find a route that serves both of our needs that that will bring us closer together and we can carry on the relationship from there.”

One of the conditions for the pipeline expansion from the National Energy Board is to do a hydro-geological study of the band’s aquifer.

The pipeline expansion project will start in early September and is expected to be in service in 2022.

– with files from Shane Woodford