The Government of Alberta is investing over $30 million in community-led projects designed to protect public safety and critical infrastructure from droughts and floods, including an investment of over $1.4 million for Whitecourt.
Provincial officials say this funding is being provided to assist communities with accessing water during periods of low flow and protecting critical infrastructure, homes and businesses in the event of floods.
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz, says droughts and floods are issues being faced by communities across the province.
“Albertans know all too well the devastating effects of drought and flooding,” says Schulz. “Communities in virtually all regions in our province have had recent experience dealing with these challenges. That’s why we are funding high-priority projects across Alberta, from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement in the north to Pincher Creek and Coaldale in the south. We are investing in projects that will help protect homes, businesses and lives.”
The Town of Whitecourt has received $1,426,182 from the province to be used in the local Flood Mitigation for Infrastructure Protection project. Town officials say this project aims to allow for the continuation of emergency and utility operations during flood events and to increase the town’s flood resilience through projects such as:
- Protecting water treatment plant intakes
- Raising access to the water treatment plant, natural gas station and ambulance base
- Protecting low-lying manhole to prevent inflow
- Construction of a flood wall around the West Whitecourt Sewer Lift Station.
Councillor Braden Lanctot asked if this funding was separate from the Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) funding from 2023; Judy Barney, Whitecourt Director of Corporate Services, explained that there is no overlap between these two programs.
“The DRP is for bringing repairs back to level before the flood occurred,” explained Barney.
Whitecourt Chief Accounting Officer Peter Smyl added that this funding should reduce the need for more DRP funding in the future and thanked all the staff involved in the process of applying.
“Hopefully this will limit the required funding from the DRP in the future,” he continues. “It was a lot of work in regards to getting this project done. I want to thank everyone that was involved. We are one of the larger municipalities to receive these funds from the province and it was a great honour to have that kind of thing.”
Council unanimously approved the motion to direct administration to gather details on potential Flood Mitigation for Infrastructure Protection projects and their associated costs. Those plans will be discussed at a future council meeting.
