The Town of Drayton Valley has been denied grant funding for a water distribution project.
The project was intended to strengthen the distribution network and ensure a reliable supply of potable water to residents, while also meeting fire suppression flow requirements. To achieve this, a connection needs to be established between the water treatment plant reservoir and the distribution network, explained Shelley Terry, general manager of municipal services.
The need for this connection was identified in 2015 in the Water Distribution Master Plan.
“Currently, the town relies on a single reservoir to supply all its water needs,” said Terry. “This reservoir is in need of significant repairs and upgrades, which would require shutting it down temporarily. During such a shutdown, the town would be left without its only source of potable water.”
Additionally, as the reservoir is already operating at capacity during peak demand windows, it is triggering the activation of the fire engine/pump, which is intended to assist the fire department during emergencies, not supplement regular water flow.
Terry characterized the project as “vital” to resident well-being, but noted that the situation isn’t yet at a critical point.
“That’s why we are committed to completing this project — to ensure we are ahead of any challenges before they arise,” she said.
The estimated project cost is $3,671,411 and the town applied for a total of $1,457,607 in provincial grant funding under the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP). The application was denied.
Terry said the town understands the AMWWP is highly competitive and other municipal projects may have taken priority. In the meantime, she said the town will continue pursuing other opportunities to see the project through.
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