Town of Vegreville Receives $1.3 Million for Wastewater Treatment System Upgrades

Town of Vegreville Receives $1.3 Million for Wastewater Treatment System Upgrades

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Economic corridors Devin Dreeshen was in Vegreville on April 19 to announce the municipality will be receiving a $1.3 million grant to upgrade its wastewater treatment system.

“We’re standing in front of one of the most crucial pieces of infrastructure that this municipality has. This is our lift station and this is the facility that takes everything to the lagoon system,” stated Tim MacPhee, who was joined by some of his council colleagues and several members of senior administration as well as Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie ArmstrongHomeniuk.

MacPhee then introduced Minister Dreeshen who said, “As far as lift stations go they aren’t the most shiniest impressive building in town, but they are so important.

This is a critical part of Budget 2023. We actually saw 53 water and wastewater projects announced across the province. This is one of them. In total, there’s $142 million dollars, and the Province of Alberta is helping municipalities on their water projects across the province, and we actually anticipate there’ll be about 672 jobs that it will create as well as provide for critical infrastructure for rural Alberta.

From L-R: Councillor Dave Berry, Councillor Jerrold Lemko, Town of Vegreville Infrastructure, Planning & Development Director Dale Lefebvre, Councillor Justin Curtis, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen, Mayor Tim MacPhee, Councillor Len Bullock and Town of Vegreville CAO Chris Leggett.

(Town of Vegreville/Submitted Photo)

The $1.3 million grant to Vegreville through the Alberta Municipal Wastewater and Water program and this wastewater system will help the sanitary force main lift station and waste water lagoon upgrades to Vegreville, something that’s very important for the local residents.” Dreeshen introduced Armstrong-Homeniuk, who stated, “I’m so pleased to be here to celebrate this good news for the Town of Vegreville. As Minister Dreeshen mentioned this government is committed to ensuring communities have the infrastructure they need to thrive and grow. We recognize the importance of investing in strong infrastructure to help ensure a prosperous future for our communities. This includes ensuring small and rural communities have access to essential services including reliable and efficient water and waste water facilities.

Funding through AB Municipal Water Wastewater Partnership will allow Vegreville to complete much needed replacements and upgrades to the wastewater treatment system which will help accommodate future growth for the community.

This project will not only improve services for residents, but will also help generate jobs while the work is being completed. All of which is great news for the economy and local community. I know that this funding is critical in ensuring that Vegreville has the infrastructure it needs now and in the future.”

MacPhee stated, “The Town of Vegreville is thrilled to be one of the recipients of the Alberta Municipal Water/ Wastewater Partnership grant. These funds will go directly toward the replacement of our force main, a critical piece of infrastructure for not only the current citizens of Vegreville but for the projected future growth of our community.”

Town of Vegreville Infrastructure, Planning & Development Director Dale Lefebvre said the provincial contribution represents 42.5 percent of the project and town council is working on federal funding options as well.

Lefebvre said tender documents will go out in early May with a decision tentatively expected by the end of Mayor or early June. The lift station refurbish will consists of a new force main line replacement from the station to the lagoons and new chamber and valve replacements at the lagoons.

The lift station was completed in 1977.