This release was issued under a previous government.

“Our immediate priority is to get communities back up on their feet as quickly as possible,” said Kyle Fawcett, Associate Minister of Recovery and Reconstruction for Southwest Alberta, in announcing Disaster Relief Funding for the project. “We want to ensure these communities have a stable supply of drinking water and that a robust system is in place for the long-term.”

By this fall, as part of the long-term plan, Alberta Transportation will install a 10-inch pipe to ship clean drinking water to Black Diamond from the existing Turner Valley water treatment facility to handle the increased capacity. This will replace a temporary solution- an over-land four-inch pipe that was installed in the days after the flood waters receded. The existing solution is only temporary and requires some water usage restrictions.

The province will continue to work with the Quad Regional Water Partnership (QRWP) to develop a regional water treatment system as a long-term solution, first to serve residents of Turner Valley and Black Diamond, and eventually to the MD of Foothills and the Village of Longview.

“We are very pleased to see the province act so quickly to get a temporary system in place so that our residents can access adequate, clean, safe drinking water,” said Black Diamond Mayor Sharlene Brown. “Our road to recovery and future partnerships are moving forward and made easier knowing the province is here every step of the way.”

Turner Valley Mayor Kelly Tuck added: “Our town is happy to be part of this solution, working with our neighbours and the province so that all of our residents are able to turn on the tap and pour themselves a glass of water.”

Last week Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver joined Brown, other local leaders and some 100 local residents to re-open the flood ravaged Sheep River bridge which had been closed since June 20.

Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta’s resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Melinda Steenbergen
Alberta Transportation
780-422-7070
587-990-5471 (cell)
[email protected]

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.