Skip to content

Water plant upgrade lands federal grant

Millions of dollars in federal-provincial economic stimulus funding will kickstart a water treatment upgrade, road improvements and other infrastructure projects in Central Alberta.

Millions of dollars in federal-provincial economic stimulus funding will kickstart a water treatment upgrade, road improvements and other infrastructure projects in Central Alberta.

Red Deer’s water intake project and Red Deer County’s road improvements are among those approved in the second round of funding offered under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is investing in shovel-ready, infrastructure projects to help quicken Canada’s economy.

The city’s water intake project was turned down in the first round of dollars handed out.

Sources close to the federal government say the city will receive $2.3 million from Ottawa, with matching dollars from the province. A formal announcement will be made on Friday.

Mayor Morris Flewwelling said he knows the city was awarded money, but not how much.

“We’ll be making up the other $16 million (for the project) through our water utilities,” Flewwelling said.

The city’s current water intake can be found in an orange box in the middle of the Red Deer River near the water treatment plant. Raw or untreated water enters the treatment process via this above-surface intake structure.

Once the project is finished, the city plant will be receiving water in greater quantities, Flewwelling said.

It will also be easier to treat with the new technology, he added.

As well, Red Deer County dignitaries will join provincial and federal officials on Tuesday to announce how much was awarded for county road improvements.

Paving will occur on Cottonwood Road and Range Road 270 east of Innisfail. Various roads will also be upgraded.

The Infrastructure Canada website also shows the Village of Alix, Clearwater County and Ponoka receiving money for road improvements. Dollars will go towards Ponoka’s lagoon expansion.

Bowden will be injected with dollars for sanitary, water and road reconstruction. Blackfalds and Stettler will get funding for wastewater upgrades. Eckville will see money for its stormwater project.

The Town of Bentley also learned it will receive $4.875 million, to be funded equally between the federal and provincial governments, and the town.

“This investment in our town will address a much-needed infrastructure project and will provide a significant and long-term benefit for the citizens of our town,” said Mayor Joan Dickau in a news release.

ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com