Construction underway on Sylvan Lake to Red Deer wastewater line

McIntyre says this leg of the project is stage three.

“So far we’ve been establishing what we call the lakeshore line and that’s around the actual lake,” he explains. “The idea is to protect the watershed, make sure that our lake is healthy and no wastewater is infiltrating the ground and negatively affecting the ecosystem there. Now it’s time to construct what we call our primary line and that is from where the lagoons are currently in Sylvan Lake to the Red Deer Wastewater Treatment Plant.”

He says the $41.2 million project which also includes construction of a major pump station in Sylvan Lake, is 90 per cent funded by the province’s Water for Life grant. The remaining 10 per cent according to McIntyre is funded by the Sylvan Lake Regional Wastewater Commission, an organization governed by a board of eight directors, one from each of the member municipalities.

“It’s a crucial project for the region and the Town of Sylvan Lake,” states McIntyre. “The lagoons in the town have essentially reached their capacity both in volume and in their ability to treat wastewater to the standard that needs to be met for the federal and provincial governments. It’s also about ensuring we have access to clean water and that’s true both for the City of Red Deer and for the region as well.”

In addition to the environmental benefits of the new wastewater line, McIntyre says it will also set the stage for future developments in the region.

“All eight municipalities around the lake are seeing increases in both their residential population and in their industry and commercial,” adds McIntyre. “Having a sure-fire way of treating our wastewater allows us to continue to grow without negatively impacting our ecosystem.”

Following completion of stage three by May of 2019, McIntyre says next steps will include a decommissioning of the Sylvan Lake Lagoons and current wastewater treatment facilities.

Stage four will see completion of the remainder of the North Shore Line to Sunbreaker Cove, anticipated in 2020 if grant funding is approved.

Stage five will see the South Shore Line provide service to Half Moon Bay and development areas in Lacombe County which are anticipated in 2022 if grant funding is approved.

Elsewhere, a south wastewater line from Olds to Red Deer began flowing in 2013, while a north wastewater line from Lacombe to Red Deer was completed earlier this year.

Motorists travelling along Highway 11A between Red Deer and Sylvan Lake are reminded to slow down when passing through the construction zones.

by Sheldon Spackman

Construction underway on Sylvan Lake to Red Deer wastewater line

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