Rocky View County council made a difficult decision this week when it approved the Bragg Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. We applaud council’s efforts in researching and making a good decision despite pressure from the community.
For more than 25 years, septic fields in the Bragg Creek area have been polluting the alluvial aquifer, endangering the environment in and around the Bow River and making the water unsafe to drink. In fact, residents have been under a boil-water advisory for years.
The County has identified this problem as a priority, and thanks to funds from the provincial and federal government, the first hurdle in construction on the long-awaited facility has been cleared.
The heavy lobbying of concerned residents did not dissuade the County from making a decision. Instead, council listened to both concerns and reasons to approve the plan and made a decision based on what it thought was the greater good.
Several councillors expressed reluctance in making the decision, based on the fears cited by residents, which focused on the location, property values, effects on traffic and wildlife, and location of the intake and outflow pipes. However, they pulled together to make a unanimous decision. They did so based on research, science and expert input.
We hope the community can come together in support of the facility, and be willing to work with the County to come up with possible solutions for residents’ concerns.
