DIDBURY - A new water leak detection tool being used by Town of Didsbury staff has led to a marked saving of taxpayers’ dollars so far in 2023, according to the town's chief administrative officer Ethan Gorner.
His monthly report was presented to council at a recent regularly scheduled meeting and included an update on unmetered water reduction program efforts in recent months.
“At this time, operation has located and repaired five water leaks in 2023,” he said. “This has resulted in a monthly operating reduction in excess of $30,000. The department continues to seek alternative construction techniques to reduce the cost of repairs.”
Town staff have been using the municipality’s new DNR-18 leak detection kit in recent months.
Two recent residential service line repairs occurred in town, one at 14th Street and 23rd Avenue and one in West Heights Bay.
Nine seasonal positions
Gorner’s report also included updates on seasonal staff hirings, a grants update, and an update on engineering and infrastructure projects.
This 2023 summer season, the town has hired two positions for public works, four positions for parks, and three positions for the Summer Fun program.
“Out of the nine seasonal position, five of those are returning from the previous seasons,” he said. “This helps to reduce risk on the job and also helps to have them hit the road running a little faster.
“It also shows that they had a good experience with the Town of Didsbury and want to return to us from year to year. Offering these positions not only helps our seasonal employees gain experience, confidence and networking experiences, it benefits the Town (of Didsbury) as it provides necessary help during a busier time of year.”
Administration has been active in exploring grant opportunities to secure external funding for town projects, council heard.
“In June 2023, administration attended a webinar for the Rural Transit Solutions Fund through Infrastructure Canada,” he said. “Administration is currently in the process of providing assistance to the Didsbury Lion’s Club towards a potential application.”
The Memorial Complex drainage and pathway project is now in the works, council heard.
“Contractor is onsite preparing for and pouring the concrete sections of the repair work,” he said. “The work area will remain fenced to ensure the public’ safety and a walkway was prepared for the (recent high school) graduation event.”
Other projects getting underway include Highway 582 and 23rd Street intersection improvement and 20th Street mill and overlay, he said.
Council accepted the chief administrative officer report as information.
