The South Red Deer Regional Wastewater Commission (SRDRWC) will not continue construction of the next phase of an expensive sewage pipeline, though routing negotiations with landowners between Springbrook and Red Deer are ongoing, say official.
Alberta Ministry of Transportation and commission staff continue to try to hammer out a deal to cover the cost of the last leg of the wastewater system. An agreement to finish the Olds-to-Red Deer line could be finalized by this summer, according to the province.
“The board has decided we're not going to move forward unless we get an indication of money from the minister,” said commission chairman Dennis Cooper. “It's really frustrating to have a government that has basically made us wait.”
Last week the segment of the line between Olds and Bowden was pressure tested. Until the last stretch of the sewer system is put in, the town, currently running an out-of-date treatment facility, will be limited by the amount of waste that can flow through the old Waskasoo line.
“We anticipate using the existing line very soon,” said Coun. Dave Hoar, Red Deer County's representative on the commission, noting this would at least divert 2,000 cubic metres of wastewater a day towards Red Deer. “This will take roughly half of Olds' sewage away from the over utilized system and give them some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Where construction should be underway further north, the light seems to be getting more distant once again, he said.
“As for the line from Penhold to Red Deer we are still awaiting funding decisions from the province,” he said. “At this stage of the game there's no change up there.”
Commission officials were caught off guard when the province approved $10 million to complete the wastewater line leaving an additional $10 - 15 million unfunded, as the Alberta government released a tight budget after oil and gas money didn't replenish its coffers the way it had hoped.
Minister of Transportation Ric McIver met with commission, environment and municipal affairs officials in Edmonton at the legislature to discuss the project. Since then transportation staff members have had several meetings with commission staffers, which a ministry representative characterized as “positive.”
“As a result of those discussions the minister has directed the Alberta Transportation staff to look at options in cooperation with the commission staff,” said department spokesperson Nancy Beasley Hosker. “A decision on an agreed way ahead is expected this summer.”
The commission has already acquired all the land necessary for construction between the old treatment facility to 19 Avenue in Red Deer. The portion from 19 Avenue to Springbrook could follow a number of different paths, some of which would be cheaper than others.
Phases 2 and 3 of the project have used rights-of-way instead of putting the pipeline in ditches along the road, after farmers complained the original plan impacted their mobility.
This change among others contributed to the rise in the total cost of the project, which jumped from $100 million to $135 million after a number of difficulties confronted the commission.
“There's a number of different routings we can take,” Cooper said. “We're waiting for landowners and the City of Red Deer to supply us with some answers.
The City of Red Deer is looking at allowing the commission to send sewage across land it currently owns.
“We've got this bridge three-quarters built,” Cooper said. “We just need to get the government to say let's get this project done and put the funds in place.”
Coun. Hoar says he remains optimistic that the project will get moving again soon.
“We still have a 10- or 15-million decision to make,” he said, noting that at this point it's uncertain if that will be “funded by the province as originally agreed or if we'll have to reach an alternate compromise.”
"The board has decided we're not going to move forward unless we get an indication of money from the minister. It's really frustrating to have a government that has basically made us wait."Dennis CooperCommission chair
