The Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission has received a provincial grant to help fund a project connecting the hamlets of Fort Kent and Ardmore to the regional water system.
The commission received a $668,432.83 Water for Life grant from Alberta’s Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors. The funding will support the approximately $1.8-million Fort Kent/Ardmore Regional Water Connection project, which will link the two hamlets to the regional waterline running between Cold Lake and Bonnyville. The regional line was completed in 2021.
The project is being completed in partnership with the Municipal District of Bonnyville, a member of the Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission.
Scott Cyr, MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul, said the project will improve access to safe and reliable drinking water while strengthening regional infrastructure.
“This investment helps make that a reality for Ardmore, Fort Kent, and the surrounding area by strengthening regional water infrastructure for today and for generations to come,” said Cyr.
M.D. of Bonnyville Reeve Barry Kalinski said the funding will allow the municipality to upgrade infrastructure while improving water service for residents in the hamlets and those who rely on rural water fill stations.
“It allows us to upgrade important infrastructure and provide important services to our residents,” said Kalinski.
Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission vice-chair Byron Johnson said connecting the existing Fort Kent and Ardmore waterlines to the regional system will create a single, streamlined water treatment process.
“By tying the original Fort Kent and Ardmore waterlines directly into the main regional system, we are unifying separate operations into one streamlined water treatment process,” said Johnson.
