A solution to Okotoks' water issue is one big step closer after the town and Foothills County officially having formalized their solution: a supplemental water pipeline that would transport water from the Bow River to be treated in processing facilities within the Foothills.

Following the joint meeting between town and county in late August, Foothills County committed $440,000 toward the design and engineering portion at their September 9th meeting, with $1.48 million having been being committed by the town.

A $34.24 million capital program has been approved, with the town providing approximately $24.47 million, and the county providing approximately $9.75 million.

They'll be seeking approval for federal and provincial grants to contribute to the project, with plans to have the project ready for consideration by November of this year.

Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson says though the town has enough water for the next several years through minor license purchases for the Sheep River, the pipeline would provide valuable security for the town's growth in the next ten-plus years.

"As the economy recovers we do expect our growth to ramp up a bit more. At one time we were in the top ten growing municipalities in all of Canada. We don't expect it to get to that level again, but we'd like to be ready when it does."

Foothills County Reeve Suzanne Oel says the added water sources will be much less taxing on each individual source and will add some diversity in terms of how water can be allocated within the area.

"It allows us to have a river with much higher flow, and has the opportunity to provide some further development in the area, all of that being very carefully considered with the guidance of Alberta Environment and Parks."

She says other options were explored, including alternate sources like the Highwood and Sheep Rivers, and a treated water pipeline before reaching their conclusion.

"We felt that this was the best cost option, there's the benefit to both communities, the lower cost because of the project sharing, and the opportunity within the grant favouring regional work."

For more information on the project, click here.

 

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