Minister visits Vermilion wastewater treatment plant with $34M spend

ACE Waterline work will continue.

Dignitaries met in Vermilion welcoming Alberta Minister of Infrastructure, Prasad Panda, at the new wastewater treatment facility site.

The group discussed the current build as well as separate multi-million dollar provincial and federal infrastructure funding.

The funding currently being distributed in other local areas applies to Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) projects such as the County of Vermilion River’s ACE Water Transmission System.

Costing almost $34 million, the province is contributing $16,625,000, the federal government is contributing $13.3 million, leaving the Alberta Central East Water Corporation to contribute $3,975,000.

The funding will support almost 100 kilometres of additional waterline to the existing system. When completed, this extension will serve Myrnam to Derwent, Two Hills to Duvernay, Kitscoty to Paradise Valley, and Marwayne to Dewberry and Clandonald.

The grand vision is supplying 18 communities throughout the County of Minburn, County of Two Hills, and County of Vermilion River have access to a safe, reliable water supply.

County of Vermilion River Reeve-Dale Swyripa met with Minister Panda earlier in the day in Wainwright along with the Municipal District of Wainwright Reeve-Bob Barss, Wainwright Mayor Brian Bethune, and MLA Garth Rowswell.

Wainwright area will see two projects funded including Greenshields Lagoon rehabilitation and Wastewater Lagoon upgrades.

“I am glad the government of Alberta is able to support these projects. A big part of the Alberta Recovery Plan, ICIP projects will help create local jobs,” said Minister Panda.

The group stood overlooking the construction of the wastewater treatment facility which is next to the current facility, just off Balmoral Street along the Vermilion River valley.

“Wastewater treatment projects like this are required to support public health and well-being as well as the environment,” said Minister Panda.

The existing facility has been in operation since 1965 and Mayor, Caroline McAuley, said they were in need of new technology. The new facility will include a membrane bioreactor, and the town is expecting to begin the commission process at the new facility in December depending on winter temperatures.

The new wastewater treatment facility in Vermilion has a projected lifespan of 35-40 years depending on the community’s growth with a capacity to service 7,200 residents.

Lloydminster Mayor, Gerald Aalbers, also stopped by to check out the facility as they are looking at building a new one in Lloydminster in the near future as well.