If passed, Budget 2024 would provide $50 million over three years to upgrade wastewater treatment through the expansion of the ARROW Utilities Wastewater Treatment Plant in Strathcona County, which supports communities throughout the Edmonton area.
Upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant are needed to support growing populations in Edmonton and the surrounding area. They will provide additional treatment of wastewater to develop a water source that can be used for industrial purposes to help local businesses thrive and attract new businesses.
“It is more important than ever to effectively manage our precious water resources. Alberta’s government is committed to managing our resources to support our communities and our economy. This investment will support industry with access to used water needed for economic and population growth, saving fresh water resources.”
The expansion project at ARROW Utilities is vitally important as it creates a new model to support water re-use and ensure the right water is used for the right purposes. As a result, more water will be available for industrial purposes while other water sources will be protected to bolster the resiliency of the region’s water systems. When completed, the expansion will provide an additional treatment output of 35-million litres per day, saving about that amount of fresh water each day.
This investment will also help keep water rates affordable for residential ratepayers and commercial and industrial businesses throughout the capital region.
“Budget 2024 is a responsible plan which includes supports to help keep life affordable for Albertans. This investment in the capital region helps promote stability in water rates for communities in the area, while supporting industry and stimulating economic development.”
Increasing the wastewater treatment capacity of the ARROW Utilities system will also help promote and expand hydrogen production in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. Treated wastewater will be used to support the production of hydrogen at Air Products’ hydrogen plant, eliminating the need to use water that is treated for residential use.
“Investing in our water and wastewater infrastructure has never been more important as our communities contend with record low water levels. That’s why we are incredibly pleased to receive funding from the provincial government to upgrade ARROW Utilities’ Train 4 Plant Expansion. This investment ensures we can better steward our water resources within the City of Spruce Grove, our neighbouring municipalities, and the region’s industries.”
“This investment in ARROW Utilities is a win for our communities and for the region's industries that help enhance economic resiliency through good-paying jobs for residents. Hydrogen production is a key piece of our energy future, and thanks to this investment, we are one step closer to realizing the industry’s potential.”
Growing Alberta’s hydrogen sector is a key priority in the Alberta government’s Hydrogen Roadmap. By 2030, it is anticipated that the hydrogen economy in Alberta could bring tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of economic activity during the construction phase, as well as thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic activity during the project operations phase.
“With a collaborative approach between government and business, Western Canada is well-positioned for responsible growth. We are proud to collaborate with ARROW Utilities as we move forward with Air Products’ new net-zero hydrogen energy complex under construction in Edmonton. We look forward to working with the local community to build a more sustainable energy future.”
Budget 2024 is a responsible plan to strengthen health care and education, build safe and supportive communities, manage the province’s resources wisely and promote job creation to continue to build Alberta’s competitive advantage.
Quick facts
- Construction on the ARROW Utilities Train 4 Expansion project began in fall 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025.
- ARROW Utilities, formerly known as the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission, is a regional cooperation providing wastewater transmission and treatment services to more than 400,000 Albertans, thousands of businesses, and key industries in 13 municipalities in the capital region.