Facing multi-million-dollar environmental upgrades to its sewage system, the Town of Stettler is reaching out to neighboring municipalities to back a regional wastewater study.
Stettler town council voted at its Oct. 20 meeting to back a $150,000 Alberta Community Partnership grant application to fund a $166,667 feasibility study.
The town will manage the project and cover the remaining $16,667 in costs.
The push for upgraded infrastructure follows an Alberta Environment & Protected Areas study showing that Red Willow Creek often lacks enough natural water flow when treated municipal wastewater is released.
In response, Alberta Environment proposed tighter wastewater treatment limits similar to those on nearby municipalities, including Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, and Camrose.
Preliminary estimates outline a $1-million treatment upgrade using disc filters within three years, followed by an $8-million to $11-million membrane bioreactor treatment plant over seven years.
The town’s counter-proposal to AEPA pushes major decisions to 2029 while a full regional study is conducted, with a completion target of 2028.
The grant application lists the County of Stettler as a partner, alongside the Summer Villages of Rochon Sands and White Sands as benefiting partners.
Town staff noted they were not asking the partner municipalities for money, only their participation in evaluating a shared wastewater facility.
Administration confirmed it plans to complete the study regardless of whether the provincial grant is approved.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
