Kathyrn, a hamlet northeast of Calgary, tapped into Drumheller’s water to provide for a proposed housing development to be built in the area.
On November 24, council approved an amendment to the Water Supply Agreement between Kneehill Regional Water Services Commission (KRWSC) and the Town of Drumheller, to allow the KRWSC to sell their treated water outside the boundaries of the agreement.
On November 24, council approved an amendment to the Water Supply Agreement between Kneehill Regional Water Services Commission (KRWSC) and the Town of Drumheller, to allow the KRWSC to sell their treated water outside the boundaries of the agreement.
Drumheller’s plant will supply the proposed maximum of 2,200 m3/day to
the Hamlet of Kathyrn, in what Mayor Bryce Nimmo calls "being good
neighbours."
The agreement, for a term of 25 years with 21 remaining, is strictly for the use of the proposed housing development in the hamlet close to Calgary.
“The housing development still has to go through hoops like zoning and things of that nature,” Mayor Nimmo said, also mentioning that he did not recall seeing information on the development or the company behind it.
Councillor Andrew Berdahl stresses water is a commodity, and like any other, should be thoughtfully watched.
“This deal is enough to move the water but not enough to do damage to us,” said Berdahl, who believes it is a mutually good move for both sides.
The provincial government is currently not accepting applications to draw water from the closer Bow River.
“Calgary is careful about its water, so they (Kathyrn) need to get it from somewhere else,” Berdahl said.
Kneehill is having trouble because the cost of their water is more than they initially planned and are not selling enough, Mayor Nimmo explained.
“What the town is saying is if this will help you by offsetting your costs we are going along with it.”
“The only real benefit to us is we are being good neighbours,” Nimmo said.
In spring of 2007, council disapproved a similar deal to supply water to the proposed Crossiron Mills shopping development near Balzac.
“With Balzac we would have had to change the boundaries of the agreement. This move is tied strictly to their (Kathyrn) development,” said the mayor.
The agreement, for a term of 25 years with 21 remaining, is strictly for the use of the proposed housing development in the hamlet close to Calgary.
“The housing development still has to go through hoops like zoning and things of that nature,” Mayor Nimmo said, also mentioning that he did not recall seeing information on the development or the company behind it.
Councillor Andrew Berdahl stresses water is a commodity, and like any other, should be thoughtfully watched.
“This deal is enough to move the water but not enough to do damage to us,” said Berdahl, who believes it is a mutually good move for both sides.
The provincial government is currently not accepting applications to draw water from the closer Bow River.
“Calgary is careful about its water, so they (Kathyrn) need to get it from somewhere else,” Berdahl said.
Kneehill is having trouble because the cost of their water is more than they initially planned and are not selling enough, Mayor Nimmo explained.
“What the town is saying is if this will help you by offsetting your costs we are going along with it.”
“The only real benefit to us is we are being good neighbours,” Nimmo said.
In spring of 2007, council disapproved a similar deal to supply water to the proposed Crossiron Mills shopping development near Balzac.
“With Balzac we would have had to change the boundaries of the agreement. This move is tied strictly to their (Kathyrn) development,” said the mayor.
