LETHBRIDGE – The Alberta Government announced over $17 million in Alberta Community Resilience Grants for seven municipalities in southern Alberta, Friday.
The grants will go to the protection of municipal water management infrastructure and improve stormwater drainage and retention.
“Recent floods, including the 2014 floods, have highlighted the need to improve the flood resiliency of communities in southern Alberta. These investments in flood mitigation will help ensure people are safe, infrastructure is protected, and businesses continue to operate without interruption,” Premier Rachel Notely said.
Approximately $4.3 million has been allocated to the Lethbridge County for the construction of a dry pond that will provide 75,000 cubic metres of active stormwater retention west of Coaldale, Alta., with a structure that will allow a controlled release into a future Birds Of Prey wetland.
Over $780,000 will go to improvements of the existing berm surrounding the City of Lethbridge’s water treatment plant to protect against a flood, and the addition of a back-up transformer on higher ground.
“Addressing this need and ensuring safe water for our city and surrounding communities is in the true spirit of partnership. A secure, reliable supply of clean potable water will also allow our city to continue to diversify our economy and attract new private investment,” Mayor of Lethbridge, Chris Spearman said.
“This investment will reduce uncertainty and enhance our city’s reputation as a good location for companies who wish to build food processing plants and any other industries that require a reliable and uninterrupted supply of clean, potable water,” Chair of the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta, Rendolf Sidoo said.
The province said other projects will include:
- Relocation of the raw water intake, infiltration gallery, and pump system in Pincher Creek;
- Relocation of the raw water infiltration gallery in Cardston;
- Construction of a stormwater drainage ditch and wetland detention system along the northern boundary of Magrath;
- Construction of the Frog Creek Stormwater Management Facility in Claresholm; and
- Construction of a drainage ditch and retention system south of Raymond to divert stormwater into a Raymond Irrigation District reservoir.
Severe flooding in June 2014 affected several communities in southern Alberta; many of which that will be receiving grants in this funding cycle.
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