Celebration being held for waterline
Amy Gregson – Times Reporter
It’s time to celebrate the new waterline in Strathmore.
The East Calgary Regional Waterline has been bringing water to Strathmore since Jan. 22 and the Town of Strathmore is now holding a grand commissioning.
“We wanted to make sure we got all the bugs out,” said Mayor George Lattery about why the town has held off on the celebrations.
The ‘bugs’ the town was worried about was in regards to the chlorine levels in the water.
The water comes from the City of Calgary with chlorine added, but as it travels 46 km the chlorine dissipates.
Once the water arrives at Brentwood Station, chlorine must be added to compensate for any that was lost on the way.
The town warned residents that they may experience higher levels of chlorine while the system was tested.
“We wanted to make sure everything is working perfectly, we have the chlorination right and our system all set up perfect,” said Lattery.
The town is having a big celebration to show everyone throughout the province that Strathmore doesn’t have a water problem anymore.
Lattery said he goes to a lot of places where people identify Strathmore as having a water problem. and is hoping this will change.
Lattery said he hopes the new waterline will also possibly attract developers who are interested in building in Strathmore.
“Everything is coming together that we [were] planning to make the town [in the future] not have to worry,” he said.
Lattery said with the water line in place the town can concentrate on other projects such as the new waste water treatment plant, annexation of land, the aquatic centre and working on 3rd Avenue just to name a few.
“I’m not saying that these other things weren’t a priority, but I think the water far out weighs that pot hole on that road,” said Lattery.
The line is designed to operate for 60,000 people.
“To make a town sustainable and viable you need your water coming and going,” said Lattery.
The grand commissioning will occur March 2 at 10 a.m. at Brentwood Station. The public is welcome.
Along with representatives from the Town of Strathmore a number of dignitaries are expected to attend. Representatives from the Alberta Government including environmental minister Rob Renner, Strathmore-Brooks MLA Arno Doerksen and former Strathmore-Brooks MLA Lyle Oberg have all confirmed their attendance.
Chestermere Mayor Patricia Matthews will also be there because the line services their town as well.
Lattery hopes Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier and transportation minister Luke Ouellette will also be present for the grand commissioning.
Lattery said all these different groups have played a part in getting the East Calgary Regional Waterline in operation.
amy@strathmoretimes.com