More than $58.7 million from the Water for Life and the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) grant programs will support 33 water infrastructure projects across the province. The projects will improve water and wastewater services and access to clean drinking water for rural communities and are expected to create 824 jobs during construction.
Additionally, the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program will provide $27.4 million in grants to rural and small urban municipalities to build and maintain local transportation infrastructure, including local roads, bridges and community airports. The funding will support 45 projects that will generate 210 new jobs.
“These projects will not only address critical local municipal infrastructure priorities but will also create good-paying construction jobs for Albertans. In the longer term, these projects will improve vital trade routes and essential water services that industry needs in order to grow in Alberta.”
Approved projects under the Water for Life program include a raw water supply pipeline in Okotoks and Foothills County as part of the Foothills Okotoks Regional Water Project. The pipeline will provide reliable access to clean drinking water and support future growth in the region.
“Okotoks town council and administration are incredibly grateful to be receiving this funding support from the province. The Water for Life grant will allow us to take the necessary next steps to get the pipeline constructed and operational for 2025. After many years of diligently working towards a long-term water supply solution, this milestone is significant. We look forward to continuing the collaborative process with our partner, Foothills County, now that this critical step is in place.”
“Foothills County is invested in the creation of sustainable infrastructure that will serve our residents and businesses while ensuring the protection of our environmental assets. The funding received from the province is critical to support this important infrastructure project. Council and administration are pleased to be able to continue working jointly with our municipal neighbours to provide water security and support economic development in both Foothills County and the Town of Okotoks.”
Under the AMWWP, approved initiatives include a new water treatment plant and capacity upgrade in Canmore, a wastewater lagoon upgrade in Valleyview and new wells and a water connection in Sylvan Lake.
Approved initiatives under STIP include improvements on provincial roads and highways that Alberta’s industries rely on for access to markets and natural resources. Funded projects include improving resource roads in Cypress County and industrial access roads in High Level, replacing culverts in Parkland County and paving the runway at the Valleyview Airport.
Quick facts
Water grants
- Budget 2022 includes $130.3 million in Water for Life funding over three years and $100.7 million in AMWWP funding over three years.
- The 33 approved projects for 2022 will receive more than $58.7 million:
- nine projects will receive about $36.2 million under the Water for Life program
- 24 projects will receive about $22.5 million under the AMWWP
STIP grants
- Budget 2022 allocates $85 million over three years for STIP, including $25 million in new funding for 2024-25.
- The 45 projects approved for 2022 will receive a total of $27.4 million under STIP’s four components:
- Local Road Bridge Program – 33 projects receiving about $14.8 million in provincial funding. The contribution breakdown for this program is 75 per cent provincial and 25 per cent municipal funding.
- Resource Road Program – four projects receiving about $4.7 million in provincial funding. This program provides 50 per cent provincial and 50 per cent municipal funding, to a maximum provincial grant amount of $3 million per project. Municipalities are encouraged to acquire 25 per cent of their contribution from the private sector that will benefit from the project.
- Local Municipal Initiatives – four projects receiving $5.3 million in provincial funding. The provincial/municipal contribution percentages vary based on project scoring.
- Community Airport Program – four projects receiving $2.6 million in provincial funding. The contribution breakdown for this program is 75 per cent provincial and 25 per cent municipal funding.
