McIver delays decisions

Sharon McLeay  

Times Contributor  

 

In a meeting with Minister Ric McIver, Wheatland County representatives were told that expected money for water infrastructure projects may be cut in half. While cutbacks were expected, given the province’s recent cutbacks to many program allocations, the news is generating speculation on the repercussions for Wheatland County and the Wheatland Regional Water Partnership. The Wheatland Regional Water Partnership water license expires in January 2015, and the delay in funding may delay building projects up to three years.

The Standard water treatment plant expansion is expected to cost about $2.5 million and Gleichen’s will cost approximately $4 million. 

While Wheatland County managers said some aspects of the county water projects could go ahead, they didn’t think it would allow for a backup system if there were operation problems. Alternate measures could be used until the new facilities were in place, such as the use of portable plants or clarifying products, settling tanks, ultraviolet treatment and extra chlorine for the short term, but as a long term measure it was deemed unsatisfactory. There will be no health issues for processing the water in that manner, but odour and taste may be affected.

“I know there are issues in Gleichen, but the water is safe. The issue is meeting the provincial codes,” said County Reeve Glenn Koester. “One regulation change put forward by Alberta Environment caused the shutdown of seven plants until they met minimal standards.”

Koester said the funding cut leaves the county with a huge investment obligation and puts extra burdens on the villages. He commented that Alberta Environment set out the regulations that bumped up the costs of these plants, and when the final bill is presented to the province for implementation they reject the funding.

Councillors were not pleased with the cuts. 

“This is not acceptable,” said Councillor Ken Sauve. “We need to put pressure on them to get this done. We can’t go on sitting on the fence. We have to push and push hard.” 

“Funding is crucial. We have to decide. We were looking to move on this five years ago,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

Wheatland County has been asking for help with water issues for over a decade.

Planners said they could look for other options and funding mechanisms, or ask the Minister for a year grace period on the licensing; so funds can be generated and the project completed. Councillor Alice Booth suggested planners look to Federal funding or grants. Councillor Berneice Bland commented that money should be cut from less critical areas, not essential infrastructure projects.  

Council asked staff to set up a meeting with representatives of the Wheatland Regional Water Partnership. Koester said they needed to find ways to move ahead, modify the plan or petition the government for a grace period or concessions on funding.

McIver was also asked about modifications on the Hwy 1 and 24 intersections and Wheatland Council was again asked to wait for any action. McIver said he wants to determine if the Calgary ring road completion will take some of the traffic flow and divert it to the 22X. He felt it may ease the current bottleneck that occurs with truck traffic. He suggested that an additional lane might not be in the works for 10 to 15 years. Councillors felt the lane was needed as trucks with B-train trailers do not currently have enough room to safely turn onto the Highway and crossing the east bound traffic increases delays and risk for accidents. Darrell Camplin, Southern Regional Transportation Manager told council representatives the accident statistics were still low, however installing flashing lights and widening the shoulder lane may be a stop gap measure. The suggestion was made that high haul traffic and pilot cars could be rerouted to improve flow. It was questioned whether traffic could be diverted to utilize Glenmore Trail.

Councillors countered that the number of accidents at the Hwy #1 and Hwy #24 intersection was not high, but the severity of accidents occurring at the intersection warranted attention. They felt the residents of Langdon would not want the increased truck traffic moving through the Glenmore Trail intersection. There was the option of blocking off the current access and developing a cost share program for six miles of service road. With the cost of $1 million per mile of road construction, it was thought to be a more economical solution than the $20 million needed for amending the intersection.  

Councillors said they would monitor both situations, prepare more information and discuss both issues with the Minister again.