Cleared explanation needed for stormwater retention project

Cypress County Coun. Robin Kurpjuweit

Justin Seward
Commentator/Courier

Cypress County Council is looking for a clearer explanation for WSP Canada Inc.’s plans for a storm water retention project in Dunmore at its Sept. 5 meeting.
Council voted in favour of directing administration to provide cost estimates for recommended improvements for the existing storm pond and the Eagle Butte Road ditch, and any additional storm water retention.
“We’re just trying to fight an uphill battle now to make it better than what it is,” said Coun. Dustin Vossler.
“We caused the issue in one way shape or form, but you’ve got to remember it all ran down hill and ended up in a creek or compost and sat there. What we’re doing here is trying to re-rout it and make it go places.”
“In all fairness it’s costing us a lot of money for something we drain naturally.”
Council approved a motion at its May 18 meeting to direct administration to hire WSP Canada Inc to complete an engineering analysis of storm water management and options for the utility lot in Eagle Ridge in Dunmore.
At that time, councillors wanted to build a park to the south of the existing stormwater location.
“I want to see to park go in there,” said deputy reeve Dan Hamilton.
“But it’s ridiculous that we keep spending this money on engineers coming back with stuff.
“When one says ‘I’ve build for the one in 100 year (flood plan),’ and other one says ‘no it’s not.’ Something is wrong somewhere and I’m just trying to get to the bottom of it.”
WSP Canada’s report came back and it indicated that 9,200 cubic meters is needed for a modified catchment areas of 32.5 hectares, making improvements to the current storm pond to increase effectiveness and decrease the flooding to neighbouring properties.
“These aren’t just right for catching the water, it’s a sediment pond which is intended to catch the initial surge of stormwater and allows the contaminates to settle to the bottom of the pond prior to being introduced to the surrounding environment,” said Coun. Robin Kurpjuweit.
Kurpjuweit added to the motion to invite WSP Canada Inc into to provide background on their design specifications and for the county’s director of planning Jeffrey Dowling to his research on the original design criteria on the holding point.

Hilda raw water wall building.
Council approved Hamilton’s motion of not going with any the options and getting a cost estimate for the rehabilitation project.

Intermunicipal recreations trail project.
Coun. Shane Hok’s motion of matching up to $200,000 towards the Intermunicipal trail linking Desert Blume to the City of Medicine Hat was approved by council.