Alberta invests nearly $10 million in Grande Prairie water projects

In Budget 2016, the Alberta government set aside $595 million over the next five years to help pay for water and wastewater improvement projects in small towns and rural Alberta. This funding will improve access to safe, reliable water supplies and enhance environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment, while creating hundreds of jobs in communities across the province.

This includes nearly $10 million in funding to communities in the Grande Prairie region to upgrade local water and wastewater treatment infrastructure as part of the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership and Water For Life grant programs that saw increased funding by the Alberta Government in Budget 2016.

“We will remain focused on investing in Alberta’s public infrastructure, so that our province continues to serve the needs of Albertans today and for generations to come. Water projects like these improve the quality of life for Albertans across the province.”

The $9,994,036 in grants will provide access to quality drinking water, improve wastewater treatment in the area and create jobs for the local economy.

Water and wastewater improvements by area:

• The Hamlet of Bezanson will receive $82,500 to replace its aging water well, as well as $300,000 to upgrade the well-water pumphouse system.
• The Hamlet of Valhalla will receive $375,000 to replace its main lift station and increase capacity for future growth.
• The Hamlet of Teepee Creek will receive $22,500 to add a chlorine injection system to the local water treatment process.
• Additional funding of $58,516 supports the completed installation of water-treatment monitoring software for the Hamlets of Laglace, Bezanson and Teepee Creek.
• The Town of Beaverlodge will receive $82,307 to install software to accurately track metered water and sewer utility fees.
• The Village of Hythe will receive $7,500 to do a study that will determine the capacity of the village’s existing water wells to support new growth and development in coming years.
• The Hamlet of Clairmont will receive $9,065,713 to complete upgrades and increase capacity at its wastewater lagoon facility.

Alberta government restores vital water system funding

Previously reduced funding for these important grant programs meant that a number of projects were delayed in many communities. With this increased funding, delayed projects will move forward and hundreds of jobs will be created across the province.

The Alberta government cost-shares eligible projects with smaller urban and rural municipalities to help with the design and construction of municipal water supply and treatment, and wastewater treatment and disposal facilities.