Redcliff hoping grant funding can help with sewer issues

By Carlie Connolly
On Mar. 23, The Town of Redcliff council voted on a motion to have administration submit an application to the government, applying for a Small Communities Fund grant. This would help to partially fund the cost of a new potable water reservoir with a pump station north of the Trans-Canada Highway.
They also voted that night on a second grant, applying for an SCF for a wastewater system enhancement. They also wish to continue their discussion with the City of Medicine Hat regarding the potential upsizing of the outfall.
The deadline to submit the application is April 2.
“We are just in the process of making application for these grants. We don’t know what the results are going to be. It definitely will give us some guidance once we find out whether we get them or not, which would go toward the improvement of our sewer system and our water enhancement,” said Redcliff’s Mayor Ernie Reimer.
These issues with sewer and water upgrades have been an issue for Redcliff since July of 2013 when there was major flooding from a heavy rainstorm, which affected many residents in the area.
The cost for the potable water reservoir with the pump station north of the highway is estimated at around $2.7 million, plus GST. This grant application would require two-thirds of funding, with the remaining being covered by Redcliff’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant.
The Town is also discussing the potentia to upsize the sewer outfall with the City of Medicine Hat. This would be to help with wastewater capacity issues. The capacity could increase from 165 litres per second to 250. This would cost the town approximately $3 million.