Rocky View County (RVC) administration is looking into the possibility of securing water through the Mountain View Regional Water Commission’s system – diverted from the Red Deer River for end use in RVC – at a cost of $1,600,000 for 500 cubic metres per day. The full licensed amount, 7,333 cubic metres per day, would cost the County $10,600,000.
“Given the significant increase in cost associated with a volume commitment of over 500 cubic metres per day, and given the limited development expected in the area, administration would support a commitment to secure 500 cubic metres per day of water from the commission,” said Stuart Jewison, operations manager with RVC. “The County’s investment would be recoverable through the implementation of off-site levy bylaw charges to area developers.”
According to RVC’s Manager of Infrastructure Byron Riemann, the item was initially brought to council following a request received from the commission, which is planning to upgrade the water system. Through County workshops and negotiations with the commission, Riemann said administration was able to assess RVC’s potential future growth need to provide a response to the commission’s request.
“They are looking for us to place a placeholder on what we think we’ll need in the future,” Riemann said. “We feel there is enough of a demand from a County perspective that we should secure this 500 cubic metres so that in the future, when we see a need, there is an opportunity for us to take advantage of it.”
However, Councillor Margaret Bahcheli argued that for the County to secure water from the commission when there has been no expressed need for it is premature, stating it would be “kind of crazy” for RVC to pay $3,200 per cubic metre for a “spaceholder.” But Councillor Lois Habberfield said there is already limited water in the eastern part of the county.
“Crossfield does need water, and that, I think, is why the line needs to be expanded,” Habberfield said. “We are being given the opportunity to partner with Crossfield to make the appropriate-sized line. We know what we can afford and this is an opportunity for us to buy capacity in the line. I think it is a reasonable start.”
She added by partnering with other municipalities, the likelihood of receiving additional funding from the government is increased. According to Jewison, government funding for the project has been applied for, but no approval has been received to date.
“The risk to the County is that if there is a need presented at some point and we pass now, it may not be available to us down the road,” Jewison said. “If they do the expansion for other needs and we don’t account for our portion, we are not guaranteed any part of this in the future and we may not be able to supply our residents.”
By a unanimous vote, council advised administration to return with more information about the upgrades and the water system.
