NEWS RELEASE
January 26, 2021
For immediate release

Cold Lake, AB - The Cold Lake Regional Utility Services Commission (RUSC) and the Bonnyville Regional Water Commission (BRWC) have arrived at a supply agreement, preparing for water delivery through the new water pipeline.

Water has been flowing into the pipeline system since mid-January in preparation for commissioning and supply to begin. On January 26, 2021, Cold Lake RUSC Chairman Bob Buckle and BRWSC Chairman Greg Sawchuk signed the supply agreement at the water transfer station, located just south of the City of Cold Lake.

“This is another strong example of what regional cooperation can achieve,” Cold Lake RUSC Chairman, Bob Buckle, said. “The conclusion of this project means safe, potable water for our members and customers, including the City of Cold Lake, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Cold Lake First Nations and the Bonnyville Regional Water Commission. We are proud to have been a part of the successful completion of this historic project.”

The project will see 17 user connections to users in the M.D. of Bonnyville, as well as to Cold Lake First Nations IR 149, and to the Town of Bonnyville. Connection points to Fort Kent and Ardmore through the new water line have also been established.

Greg Sawchuk, Chair of the Bonnyville Commission, said that he, and the entire Bonnyville Commission are very pleased to see the successful completion of the waterline along with all of the other upgrades to the Water Treatment Plant and the Transfer Station.

“It has taken a long time to come to fruition, but by working together we have created something that will be for the betterment of the entire region for a very long time,” Sawchuk said.

The roughly $97-million project was funded through the Government of Canada’s Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, the Government of Alberta’s Water for Life Grant, municipal contributions from the Municipal District of Bonnyville and the Town of Bonnyville, as well as funding from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Cold Lake RUSC oversaw the engineering processes and the project management.

The City of Cold Lake and Cold Lake RUSC own the water and waste water treatment distribution and collection systems servicing the City of Cold Lake, with Cold Lake RUSC contracting the City of Cold Lake to operate the infrastructure. Once the treated water is pumped out of the treated water transfer station (located just south of Cold Lake), the infrastructure is owned and will be operated by the BRWSC.

Due the COVID-19 Pandemic there will be no formal celebrations at this time, however this project’s completion is a remarkable occasion for all involved.

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