A total of 53 water and wastewater projects in small and rural communities across Alberta will support 672 jobs.
“Alberta’s communities need effective municipal infrastructure to support economic growth. This investment will help ensure reliable access to clean drinking water and effective wastewater services to support Albertans, industry and agriculture. We’re also ensuring our communities have safe and efficient local roads, bridges and community airports to support economic growth, attract investment and improve travel.”
Under the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program, 69 local road, bridge and community airport projects will create about 183 jobs.
Approved projects under the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership include a $1.5-million grant for upgrades to the Wainwright sanitary trunk main to improve efficiency and ensure effective wastewater services and a $1.2-million grant to Wetaskiwin County for wastewater treatment infrastructure upgrades. Additionally, Vegreville will receive a $1.3-million grant for upgrades to its wastewater treatment system to improve efficiency and support future growth in the community.
“Three weeks ago, I attended the grand opening of a CT scanner located in the Wainwright Health Centre. I was also recently informed that a new Wainwright Elementary School, for which I advocated, is to be constructed. This $1.5-million grant for upgrades to the Wainwright sanitary trunk main is yet another major improvement to the infrastructure and facilities for the Town of Wainwright. Wainwright – onwards and upwards!”
"Regardless of the level of government in which we work, the people we serve are the same. It is our responsibility to work together to serve our friends and neighbours in our communities in the most efficient and best way that we can. This announcement proves our commitment to do what's right and give what is needed to guarantee the promises we have made to our community and its long-term survivability and success.”
“Alberta’s municipalities rely on grant funding through the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership, the Water for Life program and the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program to develop and maintain key local transportation infrastructure. These investments will not only create jobs and promote economic growth – but also improve safety and the quality of life in these communities.”
"The County of Wetaskiwin would like to thank the Honourable Devin Dreeshen and the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors for providing funding for the Winfield Lagoon upgrade project. This project will provide the residents of Winfield with a critical service upgrade and protect the environment from premature releases. It is critical that our communities remain viable to serve the residents, industries and resource sectors operating in rural Alberta. We appreciate the Government of Alberta's prioritization of this project."
Approved projects under Water for Life include a $10.3-million grant to extend a regional waterline from the village of Donalda to the village of Rosalind and the village of Bawlf, $6.8 million for emergency wastewater storage ponds near the town of Olds, and $1.4 million for reservoir expansion and a pumphouse in the town of Sexsmith.
Approved projects under the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program include $1.7 million for repaving the runway and replacing airfield lighting at the Westlock Regional Airport, $1.4 million to replace the Banff Avenue bridge over the Bow River in Banff, and $2.2 million to pave Township Road 752A to Hilliards Bay Provincial Park in the County of Big Lakes.
“This is excellent news for my constituents. The Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership funding is critical for the Town of Vegreville to ensure reliable access to clean drinking water and effective wastewater services to support residents, industry and agriculture. I am proud that my advocacy on this matter has helped secure this essential grant.”
“The Town of Vegreville is thrilled to be one of the recipients of the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership grant. These funds will go directly toward the replacement of our force main, a critical piece of infrastructure for not only the current citizens of Vegreville but for the projected future growth of our community.”
The funding is included in Budget 2023 and is part of the Government of Alberta’s commitment to supporting rural and small urban municipalities in building and maintaining critical local transportation, and water and wastewater infrastructure.
Budget 2023 secures Alberta’s future by transforming the health-care system to meet people’s needs, supporting Albertans with the high cost of living, keeping our communities safe and driving the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.
Quick facts
Water grants:
- The Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) and the Water for Life programs provide grants to municipalities to assist in the construction of high-priority municipal water supply and treatment facilities, as well as wastewater treatment and disposal facilities.
- Budget 2023 includes a $120-million increase in funding for AMWPP for a total of $211 million over three years and maintains funding for Water for Life, with $169.3 million allocated over three years.
- The 53 projects approved for 2023 will receive $142.1 million:
- 47 projects will receive about $114.5 million through AMWWP
- six projects will receive about $27.6 million under the Water for Life program
Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP):
- STIP provides grants to small and rural municipalities to maintain and improve local road bridges, community airports and local resource roads.
- Budget 2023 maintains funding for STIP, with $93.2 million allocated over three years.
- The 69 projects approved for 2023 will receive a total of $37.5 million in funding under the following STIP components:
- Local Road Bridge projects – 59 projects receiving $28.6 million in provincial funding. The contribution breakdown for this program is 75 per cent provincial and 25 per cent municipal funding.
- Community Airport Program – Five projects receiving $4.6 million in provincial funding. The contribution breakdown for this program is 75 per cent provincial and 25 per cent municipal funding.
- Local Municipal Initiatives – Five projects receiving $4.3 million in provincial funding. The provincial/municipal contribution percentages vary based on project scoring.