Feds invest $22 million for Edmonton flood resiliency

EDMONTON — The Government of Canada is putting $22 million in funding to reduce flood risk and damage in Edmonton.

Edmonton-based essential services company EPCOR will implement the project, which includes improvements to mitigate potential flooding hazards at the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The work includes three new backwater prevention outfall gates to prevent river water from flowing back into the plant during storm events as well as a flood barrier along the northern edge.

“The City of Edmonton welcomes this additional funding from the Government of Canada to help minimize flood risks and the impacts of flooding on public health and safety. Edmonton has world class drinking water, and this funding to protect critical infrastructure will help ensure we continue to have a reliable supply of clean and safe drinking water,” Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said in a statement.

Automatic gates and sensors will also be added to 117 stormwater wet ponds in Edmonton, changing them into “smart ponds” that will detect and manage water levels and flow.

Funding for the project comes from the Government of Canada’s Disaster and Mitigation Adaptation Fund.