Clean water is a basic necessity of life and the Wheatland Regional Corporation announces the launch of the potable regional water supply line project.
The Villages of Hussar, Rockyford, Standard, and Wheatland County had initially created a regional partnership (Wheatland Regional Water Partnership {WRWP}) to investigate the options of developing a reliable and cost effective potable water supply to service these municipalities and the hamlets of Gleichen and Rosebud.
WRWP has elected to proceed with the establishment of the Wheatland Regional Corporation(WRC) that is under review by Alberta Municipal Affairs to provide a municipal regional water system.
Village of Rockyford Mayor and Chairman of the Corporation, Darcy J. Burke said, “The Village proudly supports the WRC initiative. In the near future the WRC will be supplying potable water to communities and individuals on the eastern side of Wheatland County. What I believe is paramount about this project is the desire of the Villages of Hussar, Standard, Rockyford and Wheatland County to work collaboratively designing and building the largest infrastructure project in recent history for our residents and ensuring a basic necessity of life. This project clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when strong partnerships have a dream and work hard together to bring that dream to reality.”
WRC stated in their news release: “WRC is thrilled to announce the new regional facility and the potable water supply line to Gleichen, beginning with the detail design and construction in 2016, that will provide a water system consisting of the following components: raw water intake and two raw water reservoirs, raw water pump station, raw water pipeline, water treatment plant and potable water pump stations and potable water supply pipelines.”
WRC board vice chairman and Wheatland County councillor Rex Harwood wrote, “I am proud to be a part of a project that is solving a huge problem for many communities in Wheatland County. Given its legs, I believe the project will go many miles”.
Village of Hussar Mayor Tim Frank and a board member stated, “The Village of Hussar strongly supports WRC. Everything we can do to help our neighbors and fellow communities, we will do. Our hope is for good clean drinking water for everyone and our wish is to create something special that encourages growth, cooperation and opportunities for all.”
Village of Standard councillor and WRC board member, Martin Gauthier said, “The Village of Standard is excited to be working with our neighboring municipalities in our newly formed partnership, the WRC. We recognize the benefits of regional water in this area and are looking forward to what the future holds for all of us.”
Phase one of the project includes the construction of a new raw water reservoir, pipeline from the reservoir to the treatment plant and pipeline from the treatment plant at the Village of Standard to the hamlet of Gleichen.
The project cost estimate for providing water to villages of Standard, Rockyford, Hussar and the hamlets of Gleichen and Rosebud is $51,000,000 distributed over multiple phases. Phase one is approximately $22,000,000 among which the Government of Alberta will contribute $20,000,000 over five years through the Water for Life program. The Water for Life program is based on a funding split of 90% paid by the Province and the remaining paid by the partnering municipalities. WRC has contracted MPE Engineering Ltd to begin the detailed design of the project.
Reeve of Wheatland County Glenn Koester and board member stated, “I am proud, as the Reeve of Wheatland County, to be part of this water project the county recognizes the importance of water but more important the need to be there for all the citizens of the area.”
WRC is planning to conduct Town hall meetings in all the communities where services will be provided in coordination with Wheatland County and the villages of Hussar, Standard and Rockyford.
