Alberta government pumps money into water projects

RED DEER, ALTA. — Alberta officials recently announced Red Deer and Central Alberta will receive project funding to improve water quality.

The funding will be distributed through the Water for Life Program, which provides cost-shared funding to regional commissions or groups of municipalities to support new regional water systems and upgrades to old ones.

“Our government is committed to improving essential water infrastructure across the province,” said  Brian Mason, minister of transportation, in a release.

One of the major projects that will be funded is a $49.2-million upgrade to Red Deer’s water treatment plant. In total, nearly $87 million will be spent on projects in Rockyford, Suffield, Onoway, Blackfoot and other areas.

“Programs like Water for Life are critical to ensuring safe and secure drinking water while balancing environmental and economic pressures today and in the future,” said Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer in a press release. “This wastewater upgrade provides for much-needed modernization of the critical wastewater needs in Red Deer and central Alberta. This funding positions Red Deer and the region for sustainability given the economic realities we continue to face as a community and as a province.”