BONNYVILLE - The Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission is receiving a grant of just over $1 million from the provincial Water for Life Program to support engineering for Phase 2 of the regional waterline extension from Bonnyville to Glendon.
On July 25, the Alberta government announced that it is providing $114.6 million in grant funding to rural communities across the province for infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and community airports, along with modern water and wastewater facilities.
This funding for the projects, according to the provincial government, will be distributed through the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP), the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP), as well the Water for Life program.
This comes as good news to the Town of Bonnyville, which has been working with the Village of Glendon on the regional waterline extension. The project will be good for the area, according to Brian McEvoy, a councillor with the Town of Bonnyville and chair of the Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission.
“It's clear that the Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission and the Village of Glendon are working diligently to bring this essential infrastructure project to fruition, ensuring a more reliable and higher quality water supply for Glendon residents and contributing to the overall development of the region,” McEvoy said.
The Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission, at the request of the Village of Glendon, applied to the Alberta Government for funding for the Glendon Regional Waterline Feasibility Study, also called Phase 1, in 2024.
“This initial phase received a $100,000 grant from the Province's Water for Life program,” he said.
After the feasibility study determined that the project was viable, the Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission then applied for and has received the additional grant of just over $1 million for the engineering (Phase 2) component of the waterline extension.
When asked about the current status of the regional waterline extension, McEvoy explained that the commission is in the process of selecting an engineer for the detailed designed for the project. This selection is expected to be finalized by the end of August.
Once the engineer has been selected, the detailed phase of the project will get underway. This phase is crucial for refining the project plan and providing an accurate cost estimate, as well as establishing a timeline for when work can begin.
“With the detailed design in hand, a more concrete timeline for the construction of the waterline extension can be established,” he stated.
The Glendon Regional Waterline Extension will have significant benefits for both the Village of Glendon, as well as the broader Bonnyville area.
For Glendon, and communities along the route, the project will bring enhanced public health, reduced infrastructure burden, community growth and development and, most importantly, improved water quality and reliability, said McEvoy.
“The most significant benefit for Glendon is access to a clean, reliable, and higher quality drinking water sourced from Cold Lake, replacing their aging well system,” he said.
“Residents have expressed concerns about the current water quality, including issues with rust in the water tank and the need for water softeners. This project will address these long-standing concerns, improving daily life, and reducing household expenses associated with water treatment.”
The project sets a standard for regional collaboration and efficiency, will create economic opportunities during construction, and lay a foundation for future development.
“A robust regional water infrastructure is a foundation for broader economic development. As the regional waterline expands, it opens up possibilities for new businesses, agricultural operations, and residential developments along the route, not just in Glendon,” said McEvoy.
In a media release from the Town of Bonnyville on June 4, Village of Glendon Mayor Nick Werstiuk praised the funding for the project and the work being done alongside the provincial government.
“We appreciate the provincial support and collaboration from our neighbouring municipalities,” Werstiuk stated. “This funding is a positive step toward exploring the integration of Glendon into the regional waterline system.”
Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr said this investment of over $1 million into engineering of Phase 2 of the regional waterline extension is a crucial step toward bringing clean, clear drinking water from Bonnyville to Glendon.
“Reliable water infrastructure is foundation for healthy communities, and this project reflects the Government of Alberta’s ongoing commitment to supporting rural regions. I want to thank Minister Devin Dreeshen and the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors for recognizing the importance of this initiative,” said Cyr.
