Funding flows for pipeline in Alberta

Funding from the Government of Canada is flowing towards the South East Alberta Rural Trunk Water Line and Distribution System project in a wave of $25.4 million.

With a preliminary design by UMA Consulting Engineers, and the final design headed by Miles Klasen of MPE Consulting Engineers, some of the pipeline is already complete.

The project involves laying a water pipeline to provide South East Alberta Rural Water Co-op members in Lethbridge, Warner, Forty Mile and Cypress counties with good quality raw water.

"The realization of this project has been a long time coming," Len Mitzel, Reeve of the County of Forty Mile, said in a press release. "Because of this program and [the] announcement of our application approval, we are now able to begin laying the infrastructure to provide an assured source of quality water for a great portion of arid southern Alberta and help provide some rural sustainability."

This project is part of the Rural Municipal Green (RMP) program, which includes rural water, wastewater systems, and joint municipal water, wastewater and drainage projects where eligible applicants are rural municipalities and those with less than 1,000 residents.

So far, 551 projects have been announced in Alberta to the tune of $480 million. Under the program, Infrastructure Canada Alberta Program (ICAP) will help channel at least $508 million in federal, provincial and municipal funds towards municipal water and wastewater systems, municipal roads, bridges, transit, affordable housing, solid waste disposal, recycling, tourism, cultural and recreational facilities, and projects improving energy efficiency of municipal buildings.

Under ICAP, the federal and provincial governments grant two-thirds of the eligible-cost funds. Partnering communities and private partners provide the remaining one-third.

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