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Okotoks needs an answer from the Province

Once again the Town of Okotoks is coming up dry in its request for help from the provincial government in solving water woes.

Once again the Town of Okotoks is coming up dry in its request for help from the provincial government in solving water woes.

The Town of Okotoks asked for as much as $35 million from the provincial Water for Life program to cover 90 per cent of the cost of a water pipeline to secure an adequate supply for future growth of the town.

The Town was left off the list when the provincial government announced $117 million in funding for water and wastewater projects last week, including $18 million from the Water for Life program for 16 projects.

Okotoks’ urgent need for provincial help with its ongoing water woes has extended for several years since the Town started ringing alarm bells. The Town has been near the limits of its water licence allocation for the Sheep River for more than five years. To date, the Town’s only option has been to buy water licences on the open market, searching out licences from a limited supply along the Sheep River. This is not viable in the long-run.

This is not the first time Okotoks has sought help from the provincial government with its water issue. The Province rejected the Town’s request for return flow credits, essentially allowing the Town to draw extra water in recognition for the large percentage of water the Town puts back in the Sheep River after it is used and treated.

The Province has announced $595 million in funding for water and wastewater projects over the next three years and last week’s announcement is just the first round.

Okotoks is still in the running and Coun. Tanya Thorn says Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason’s office has told her the Province is still studying the Town’s request.

With a potential price tag as high as $35 million, it’s a hefty bill for the Town to have to handle on its own.

Support from the provincial government, or the federal government if needed, is essential to ensure Okotoks isn’t forced to take on large debt or delay other projects to ensure it has enough water for the future.

The Town isn’t even asking for a cheque at this point, just an answer. And, it can’t come too soon.




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