The Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) and Water for Life have announced the recipients of grants to support drinking water and wastewater projects across the province. Over $24 million has been provided by the Alberta government to ensure that Albertans living from northeast to southwest will have access to safe drinking water, as well as reliable and modern water and wastewater treatment systems.

The AMWWP partnership and Water for Life cost-share grant program aims to assist small municipalities with municipal water supply and treatment, and wastewater treatment and disposal facilities. The funding is provided to cities with fewer than 45,000 residents and smaller communities within municipalities. Funds are allocated based on a percentage of eligible approved project costs, based on the size of the municipality. Funding is also available for regional facilities that serve more than one community if it is more cost-efficient and environmentally sound than an individual system.

Seventeen grants are offered between the AMWWP and Water for Life, and they range from $75,000 to more than $6 million. “Our government is committed to investing in infrastructure that improves the quality of life in smaller communities,” said Minister of Transportation, Brian Mason. “These projects will provide access to safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible water and wastewater systems for Alberta families.” Various initiatives have been included in the program to meet the needs of municipalities in Alberta.

“An Interdepartmental Water/Wastewater Committee, consisting of representatives from Transportation (Chair), Environment and Parks, Municipal Affairs, and Agriculture and Rural Development review the various applications received from municipalities throughout the Province,” said Bob McManus, Assistant Director at Government of Alberta. “Based on priority and budget availability, projects are submitted to the Minister of Transportation for approval,” he said.

McManus explained that the grants were made available because there were concerns from smaller municipalities regarding quality of drinking water, aging pipes, treatment facilities, quality control and disposal of wastewater. Given the expense of modernizing and their sometimes (not always) limited municipal tax base, these smaller towns sought assistance from the province to address those on going needs.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your name here
Please enter your comment!