OLDS — Finance director Sheena Linderman says the Town of Olds has been hit hard by high wastewater costs but it’s too early know exactly how high that cost will turn out to be.
She was responding to a comment from Bowden mayor Robb Stuart.
During a year-end interview, Stuart said he was frustrated by the fact that wastewater consumption costs skyrocketed in his community last year, due to lots of rain and a high water table.
“Usually we pay about $20,000 a month or $30,000 a month. We were up at $80,000 a month there in April and May,” he said.
Stuart said the town is working with ISL Engineering in an attempt to cut water and wastewater costs.
Linderman said the same thing happened in Olds.
“Yes, the Town of Olds also experienced higher wastewater discharge costs in the spring/summer of 2020 due to the increased rainfalls,” Linderman wrote in an email.
“We have not yet received all of the 2020 invoices, but current projections show that there will be a deficit in wastewater for 2020.”
She added that any deficit the town incurs as a result of this problem will be covered via its utilities operating reserve.
