Study to look at extending regional waterline to Glendon

Left to right: CAO of the Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission, Mark Power, Glendon mayor Nicholas Werstiuk, MLA Scott Cyr, and Commissioner chair Brian McEvoy outside the Glendon pyrogy for the announcement.

A recent provincial grant will explore the possibility of extending the regional waterline to the Village of Glendon.

MLA Scott Cyr announced last week that a $100,000 Water for Life grant was awarded to the Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission for a feasibility study, which would look at providing water from Cold Lake to Glendon by connecting to the Bonnyville lines.

“This crucial feasibility study represents an important first step in ensuring that our communities have access to reliable and high-quality water resources.” said Cyr.

“Thank you to Honourable Minister Devin Dreeshen for supporting this vital project and to everyone involved in making this grant a reality. Your dedication and hard work are truly appreciated.”

Cold Lake has been identified as the best water source for the region.

Village Mayor Nicholas Werstiuk said the hard water quality in the village was the reasoning of pursuing a grant. He said he was excited to see the grant come to fruition.

“When the new council took office, we sent out a survey to confirm the concerns we had heard over the years and during our campaign. The number one issue on the list was water quality,” Werstiuk told Lakeland Connect. 

Currently, Glendon’s water source is from the Beverly Channel and has been since 1987. Before that, Glendonites received water from Minnie Lake.

The Glendon infrastructure is nearing the 40 year mark and there has been signs of issues, like a main break last winter.

“The first step in addressing this issue is the feasibility study,” said Werstiuk. 

However, just because there’s a feasibility study, doesn’t mean an extension will happen immediately. Substantial grant dollars would like be needed to undergo that project.

The study is anticipated to take a 3-4 months.

During the construction of the $97 million waterline to Bonnyville, discussions about extending the waterline for future tie-ins to Cherry Grove, or south to Frog Lake, Fishing Lake and Elizabeth Metis Settlement, were in the air.

The taps were turned in for that project in early 2021.