There’s more water in Surrey’s future thanks to a boring squirrel

THE#BCBIZDAILY
Plus, turning the tide on renewable energy and a strange brew from Lululemon

Tunnel vision
As Metro Vancouver increases water restrictions to Stage Three, there is some good news on the water front: tunnelling is finished for a new water main that will more than double the capacity of the existing one, help ensure reliable delivery of drinking water to municipalities south of the Fraser, and be able to withstand a major earthquake. An 80-metre-long tunnel-boring machine called Squirrel (presumably a ground squirrel) dug the 3.5-metre-diameter, one-kilometre-long tunnel beneath the Fraser River between Coquitlam’s Maquabeak Park and Surrey’s CN Thornton Yard. Construction on the Port Mann Water Supply Tunnel project began in 2011 and is expected to be completed late this year. More info here.

Making waves
Also in water news, B.C. and Nova Scotia have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance Canada’s marine renewable energy industry. A release from the Nova Scotia government says the memorandum represents a commitment to further develop the tidal resource in the Bay of Fundy and wave-generated energy on British Columbia’s west coast. B.C. companies and universities are involved in Nova Scotia marine renewable energy research, including a study that will look at the impact of turbulent marine environments on tidal technology. In an apparently cooperative mood, B.C. has also signed an agreement in principle with Newfoundland to enhance workforce co-operation and mobility of skilled workers between the two provinces.

Chill, baby, chill
It may seem like a stretch, but Lululemon is producing 88,000 cans of a craft beer made by Vancouver’s Stanley Park Brewing. Or in the words of Lululemon Men on Twitter, “Beer, it’s the new yoga pant. Meet Curiosity Lager by ‪@StanleyParkBrew. The official brew of ‪@SeaWheeze.” Lululemon’s 2015 SeaWheeze half marathon is August 15. Described as a “crisp, bold session lager” with 4.6 per cent alcohol by volume, Curiosity Lager will be sold in B.C. and Alberta. (via CBC)