Update on regional water partnership

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

Water services provided by the Regional Water Agreement are moving ahead.
Currently, the Rockyford water line and upgrades are being addressed.
“Phase 2 for the water lines to go to Rockyford has been approved both by federal and provincial funding and there are possibly upgrades to the water treatment plant,” said Wheatland County councillor Rex Harwood.
Alberta Transportation has forwarded approximately $3.05 million toward the project, with an approximate $1.8 million to be forwarded for contractor payments when work starts in October-November. The county will match the approximate $1.8 million funding for construction of the project.
The tenders by pipeline companies are coming in and Harwood said the quotes were lower than original estimates. K-Line Maintenance and Construction came in with the lowest bid, safety qualifications and insurance for the pipeline at $3,945,371.65. Facility contractors are currently being vetted.
The board has had extensive discussions on the rural water component, of who to supply and how the partnership will meet community needs. The next technical meeting is scheduled for Oct. 11.
The Village of Standard will contribute approximately $672,000 and shares to the project on corporate approval. Village lawyers are presently dealing with any caveat issues.
The village plant operation proposal is pending connection details for the Hamlet of Gleichen. There are ongoing discussions concerning the usage of spring water from the Village of Standard wells.
Nine tenders were taken for the raw water storage construction, with Kidco Construction the low bidder at $1,999,467.29, and the contract was awarded to them with conditions.
“We have been getting very lucky and moving forward and getting funding” said Harwood. “The project costs are coming in way under what we accounted for, which is good news.”