It’s at least a $1.2 billion bill facing Delta.

That’s got the city asking the provincial government how upgrading the local dike system to address climate change and seismic standards can be funded.

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The province recently responded the Delta’s resolution put forward at last year’s Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, which noted a 2012 study for the province estimated that future dike upgrades in Delta alone would cost more than $1.2 billion.

The resolution called on the province to clarify the roles and responsibilities of local governments in relation to dike upgrades and to provide long-term funding to support upgrades.

The province’s response, provided by UBCM, was that it recognizes that upgrading dikes is expensive for communities and that limited funding is a challenge to flood management.

The province also explained it’s currently developing a Provincial Flood Risk Strategy and is reviewing potential funding models.

Funding what's expected to be the hugely expensive, but ultimately necessary, upgrade of 67 kilometres of dikes and seawalls protecting Delta's residential, commercial and agricultural lands has been an issue the city has sought some clarity on for a number of years.

Having adopted guidelines that require new homes be built 4.5 metres above sea level, Delta has already taken a number of measures, as well as taken part in a number of flood studies. Government funding has come for a few upgrade projects and studies.

According to Delta's engineering department, dikes are currently between 3.4 and 4.2 metres, but there are also areas with private dikes at lower elevations. It's estimated Delta's dikes need to be raised by at least 1.2 metres or more to meet 2100 projected levels.

Speaking at the Delta Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, North MLA Ravi Kahlon hinted things are happening behind the scenes when it comes to funding for future dike upgrades, but he couldn’t provide details.