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Overview
Water for Life funding is available to regional commissions or groups of 2 or more municipalities for new extensions to existing regional water or wastewater systems.
Funding
Funding is calculated using a weighted average based on eligible project costs prorated by the official populations of each municipality applying for funding.
The grant for each municipality's share is then calculated using the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership funding formulas.
For hamlets, population is based on a statutory declaration from the municipality applying on the hamlet's behalf.
Populations and grant percentages are determined at the time of approval and do not change during the project.
Example:
Project type: A treatment upgrading project for an existing regional sewage system
Total project cost: $150,000
Project partners:
- communities with a total official population of 7,000
- an ineligible industrial partner that needs 33 1/3% of the project’s capacity
Total eligible project cost calculation:
- Total project cost - (Total project cost X 33 1/3% for ineligible partner costs) = Total eligible project cost
The total eligible project cost for this example is:
- $150,000 - ($150,000 x 33 1/3%) = $100,000
Table 1. The total grant for this project example is calculated as follows:
| Official Population | Prorated project cost | Cost-sharing percentage | Community grant total | Total project grant as a percentage of total project costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculation: Community’s official population (Column 1) / Total official population of the 3 communities (7,000) x Total eligible project cost ($100,000) | Calculated using the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) funding formulas (see Table 2.) | Calculation:Prorated project cost (Column 2) x cost-sharing percentage (Column 3) | Calculated using community grant totals in Column 4:(Community A grant + Community B grant + Community C grant) / Total project cost = X% funding | |
| Community A = 1,000 | 1,000/7,000 x $100,000 = $14,286 | 75% (as per the AMWWP funding formula for official populations less than 1,000) | $14,286 x 0.75 = $10,715 | |
| Community B = 2,300 | 2,300/7,000 x $100,000 = $32,857 | 60.87% (as per the AMWWP funding formula for official populations 1,000 to 3,000) | $32,857 x .6087 = $20,000 | |
| Community C = 3,700 | 3,700/7000 x $100,000 = $52,857 | 52.03% (as per the AMWWP funding formula for official populations 3,001 to 10,000) | $52,857 x .5203 = $27,500 | |
| Ineligible industry that uses 33 1/3% of project capacity | Ineligible for funding | Ineligible for funding | Ineligible for funding | |
| Total grant for the project | ($10,715 + $20,000 + $27,500) / $150,000 = $58,215 or 38.81% in funding | |||
Table 2. Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership funding formulas
| Official population | Funding |
|---|---|
| Less than 1,000 | 75% of project costs |
| 1,000 to 3,000 | Grant = [(0.5 X Population) + 250] X 100 / Population Example: Population = 2,300 [(0.5 X 2,300) + 250] X 100 / 2,300 = 60.87 Grant = 60.87% of projects costs |
| 3,001 to 10,000 | Grant = [(0.25 x Population) + 1,000] X 100 / Population Example: Population = 5,300 [(0.25 X 5,300) + 1,000] X 100 / 5,300 = 43.87 Grant = 43.87% of projects costs |
| 10,001 to 45,000 | Grant = 35 – [0.001 X (Population - 10,000)] Example: Population = 15,300 35 – [0.001 X (15,300 – 10,000)] = 29.7 Grant = 29.7% of project costs |
Eligibility
How to apply
Step 1. Select project
Municipalities should contact the regional office for their community prior to applying to discuss the eligibility of proposed projects. Check the Transportation and Economic Corridors Region and Regional Offices map to find the nearest office.
Step 2. Complete the application package
We will work with the municipality to review the scope of work and the cost-effectiveness of the project.
Directors and managers in regional offices are available to provide advice to the municipality during the preparation of the project proposal.
Include the following documents in the application package:
- a letter to the regional director in the Transportation and Economic Corridors Regional Office from each member municipality or the regional commission requesting funding
- request for funding
- project description
- project rationale (design criteria)
- proposed implementation schedule
- detailed cost estimates following the cost estimate requirements
- outline of how the municipal share of project costs will be funded (if applicable)
- proposed rates and the impact on the cost for services for each member municipality
- rate base for water and wastewater service and the extent of metering for each member municipality
- method of procurement
- asset management planning information (where applicable)
- outline any innovative construction materials used or techniques
The municipality must enter the project information in the Municipal Grants Management Application.
Step 3. Submit the application package
Submit the application package in person or by mail to your local Transportation and Economic Corridors Regional Office.
Find your region by checking the Municipalities, Locations and Corresponding Transportation Regions list.
After you apply
Applicants will be notified in writing of the project's eligibility for funding.
Project approval is conditional upon funding availability and the suitability of the project.
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- project size
- design
- staging
- need
- cost-effectiveness
- municipal population (actual and projected)
The following will also be considered:
- date the application is submitted
- type of project, prioritized as follows:
- Priority 1: health-related improvements involving upgrading water treatment or water supply facilities
- Priority 2: environmental protection improvements related to wastewater treatment projects affecting the environment
- Priority 3: system and development related improvements, such as safety, fire protection and operational improvements
Reporting
Revisions
The municipality must notify us of project cost or scope changes as soon as possible.
We will review the information and may approve funding and scope changes that fall within the eligibility limits. Scope changes and cost increases will be considered new projects and may be eligible for future grants.
Grant recipients
Recent recipients
Past recipients
- Water for Life grants to municipalities – 2015 to 2018
- Water for Life grants to municipalities – 2004 to 2015 (includes some Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership grants)
Related
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New regional water systems