If passed, Bill 42 will approve the interbasin transfer required to supply about 500 residents in Entwistle and Nakamun Park with drinking water treated by Epcor Utilities in Edmonton via a connection to the West Inter Lakes District regional waterline in Parkland County. Entwistle currently uses groundwater as the source of its drinking water, while residents of Nakamun Park use personal wells or truck in potable water.
Construction of the regional waterline connection is expected to create about 135 temporary jobs in the region.
Both Entwistle and Nakamun Park are located in the Athabasca River basin. Under the Water Act, transferring water from one river basin to another requires a special act of the legislature. Bill 42 was introduced in the legislature on Nov. 2.
“Everyone deserves safe drinking water and we are making that happen. Approving this interbasin transfer will help put an end to ongoing drinking water issues in Entwistle and Nakamun Park by connecting residents and businesses directly to a source of high-quality drinking water.”
“Connecting Nakamun Park and Entwistle to safe, reliable drinking water marks a milestone along a 15-year journey. I commend all municipalities and political leaders involved for setting aside their differences and working collaboratively on a project that will be benchmarked as the longest water line in Alberta upon completion. Bill 42 is a fitting conclusion to this exceptional project, and Lac Ste. Anne County is 100 per cent in favour of its passing.”
“Providing Entwistle and Nakamun Park with a long-term stable water supply is essential for our communities to continue to grow and prosper. This interbasin transfer will help do just that. We are proud partners and very supportive of the excellent work the WILD Water Services Commission continues to do to provide stable, clean drinking water to our communities.”
“The connecting of the two communities to a better and more reliable water source has been in the works for a number of years. It will be good for the residents and we look forward to one day bringing high-quality drinking water to Entwistle and Nakamun Park.”
After considering other options, such as sourcing drinking water from lakes or groundwater, or trucking in water, local authorities decided to pursue a connection to the regional waterline, with strong support from local residents and the business community.
If passed, Bill 42 would authorize the inter-basin transfer of about 175,000 cubic metres of treated municipal drinking water per year from the North Saskatchewan River. This small volume of water would serve about 500 people with minimal environmental impact.
Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now. By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure we are benefiting our communities. By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth.
