We are gathering information about West Foothills Water (WFW) Plant. In order to assist in making informed decisions. This page is a collection of that information c/w supporting links to back up the findings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who Owns the Water Treatment Plant?

This station is owned and operated by the Foothills MD https://www.foothillscountyab.ca/services/utilities/bulk-water-fill-stations

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What water licenses are associated to this plant?

click the link below to review detailed information gathered from Alberta Energy

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How Long can foothills operate the Bulk Fill?

I am told an extension was given to the county but have not come across it yet?

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Why isn’t the Burby Fire hall still in use?

Below is the quoted response from Councillor Suzanne Oel taken from High Country News Feb 2023

The use of the old structure as a fire hall, located along 1368 Drive West (Rusticana Road), was discontinued around 1999-2000. Historically there were issues with recruiting adequate volunteers to meet the required NFPA service objectives in the area. In addition, the old building is not able to facilitate a fire service and is currently leased to the Venturers Society.

For Awareness: Costs for a full-time fire hall similar to Heritage Pointe are in the $6-8M cost range, with apparatus and equipment costing another approximate $2M, and then on top of that, an annual operating budget near $2M. This would not be a feasible tax cost for a service provided to an area of fairly low population and business density.

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How much water is pulled from the plant annually?

We believe this is publicly available information, and are trying to chase this down

It would be nice to know consumption wrt to designated license amount available

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What is the history of the WFW Plant?

• 1980’s Fish Creek Ranch (FCR) was formed, Fish Creek runs through the FCR property.
• 20xx – FCR applied for water licenses to divert and store water from Fish Creek in a reservoir.
• 2004 – FCR builds the 210 acre foot reservoir (~259000 m3)
• 2011 – FCR builds the Water Treatment plant
• 2012 – Water Treatment Plant was leased to Foothills County
• 2013 –Water Treatment Plant was commissioned
• 2019 – Sold to Foothills County

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Why has the WFWC sought out pipeline estimates?

After making approaches to engineers and construction companies, residents approached County staff and councillor to suggest that they would obtain reasonable cost estimates to move the pipeline forward. The CEO encouraged community participation. Determined to obtain cost efficient options a group was formed to research all possibilities. During 2023 and 2024 the West Foothills Water Coalition – soon to be the West Priddis Coalition – obtained a high-level estimate to build the pipeline within the Fish Creek Service area described on the water license and included a line to service Priddis Greens and Priddis at considerably less cost than previous County estimates. The estimate also assists with firefighting as it includes fire hydrants every 0.8 kms. It can also include fiber optics. The company also has a grant writing division that is keen to assist with grant applications.  Since obtaining this estimate the group held a residents’ meeting on October 4, 2024 and those in attendance, over 60 people who stayed for a 4 hour meeting, are very keen to move forward. It was explained that the group feels it must firstly present the estimate to the County, but to date, it has not been possible to arrange a time to meet with the Reeve, CFO, CEO and / or our Councillor.

Author SW 2024 November

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Could we lose the water licenses associated to WFW Plant?

As mentioned by one of our attendees at the October 4, 2024 WFWC meeting, Licenses can be transferred either permanently or temporary. With each transfer there is also a government holdback of up to 10% of the water. See Alberta.ca/water-allocations-and-transfers

Below, is a quote from an article I found at canadians.org/newsTownsWaterLicenseChallenged after hearing a story from a Bragg Creek resident at Cinnamon Spoon coffee shop

In December 2007, Westridge Utilities also challenged plans by the Municipal District of Rocky View, which acquired water rights from the Western Irrigation District, to build a pipeline and treatment facility to supply water to a megaproject (a horse racetrack, casino and super mall) outside Balzac, just north of Calgary.

The Calgary Herald reported then that Westridge was “contending the $15-million trade increases the risk to its supply and could drive up prices for the resource.” The newspaper also reported that, “The appeal by Westridge Utilities…is the first challenge of a licence transfer in Alberta’s fledgling market to buy and sell water rights.”

What is Household Purposes?

I recall hearing that if we did get a water pipeline we would only be able to use that for “Household Purposes”. After that statement, there seemed to be a lot of concern around exactly what the term “Household” entailed. According to Alberta.ca household purposes only to a person who owns or occupies “land that adjoins a river, stream, lake, natural watercourse or other natural water body, or own or occupy land under which groundwater exists. The water must be used for human consumption, sanitation, fire prevention and watering animals, gardens, lawns and trees. This right applies to a maximum of only 1,250 cubic metres of water per year per household.”.

Drawings?

I will try and obtain better copies, but this is what I have so far

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• 20241101 What are the plans for the bulk fill station?
• 20241101 Question Points of use with AE (Mary Anne)
• 20241101