LAKELAND - Responding to growing drought concerns across the province, Town of Bonnyville council has decided to review its water management plans.
Although the town is not under a water shortage advisory, the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas has asked municipalities to assess their water licenses and prepare for potential challenges in the coming year.
“Alberta has navigated many droughts before and has a long, proud history of coming together during tough times. I know we can count on our municipal partners to work together in the face of adversity,” wrote Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz in a letter to municipal leaders, presented to Town of Bonnyville council on Jan. 9.
Areas in Southern Alberta are facing the most severe drought conditions, but all municipalities are being asked by the government to proactively monitor water infrastructure by paying attention to water intake levels.
Coun. Neil Langridge asked for clarification on what the drought means for Bonnyville since the town does not directly withdraw water from a river.
“We’re not currently under a water shortage advisory by Environment, but a lot of the provinces in the areas of the South Saskatchewan River, Old Man River, and Bow River are in severe drought situations,” explained Town of Bonnyville CAO Bill Rogers.
He added that drought conditions have been the highest they have been in a century and Alberta is currently at a Level 4 drought classification on a scale of one to five, which indicates exceptional drought conditions.
Town of Bonnyville council will collaborate with Cold Lake Regional Water Services Commission for effective water management plans.
St. Paul discussions
The letter was also brought forward during the Jan. 8 Town of St. Paul council meeting, with CAO Steven Jeffery noting it was not surprising to receive the letter given the area has close to zero snowpack.
Mayor Maureen Miller asked if there was a policy that the municipality should look at or consider creating to deal with potential issues that could arise due to drought.
Jeffery said one place he hopes to hear some direction come from will be the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance.
The Town of St. Paul draws water from Lac St. Cyr, located about 15 km southeast of the Town of St. Paul. Water is pumped from the North Saskatchewan River into Lac St. Cyr periodically.
If there is a best practice management plan that can be put together, the Town should do so now, rather than in the spring, said Jeffery.
Coun. Nathan Taylor asked what changes would need to be made at the bulk truck fill stations if restrictions are imposed, speaking specifically about residents outside the Town who use the water for their homes, and not agricultural purposes.
Jeffery noted that limits could be imposed, and accounts set up, possibly, but more work needs to be done to gather information.
Coun. Ron Boisvert made a motion to direct administration to put a plan together and research the topic further.
