Bonnyville regional water services commission receives grant for waterline feasibility study

Bonnyville-Cold Lake- St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr announced that the Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission has received a $100,000 grant to study extending the Cold Lake waterline from Bonnyville to the Village of Glendon. This grant aims to address Glendon’s longstanding water quality issues.  

Glendon Mayor Nicholas Werstiuk noted that water quality is a major concern for residents who currently rely on rusty water tanks and well water. Some use costly water softener systems, which are difficult to maintain.  

The village’s aging waterline, built in the mid-1980s, has suffered multiple breaks. To address this, Glendon council consulted with regional authorities, determining that extending the Bonnyville waterline is the best solution. Funded by the province’s Water for Life program, the $100,000 grant ensures the feasibility study will not burden ratepayers.  

Mark Power, CAO of the Bonnyville Regional Water Services Commission, explained that if feasible, an engineering study would follow, and stakeholders would need to find funding for the project. The construction phase will depend on securing this funding.  

MLA Scott Cyr emphasized the study’s importance in evaluating the impact on Cold Lake’s water levels. If the feasibility study finds that the pipeline extension would excessively strain Cold Lake’s aquifers, the project will not proceed, highlighting the commitment to environmental sustainability.