Construction is set to start this year on a new wastewater treatment plant for the town of Sundre.

According to government officials, the project’s estimated cost is $11.5 million.

“Sundre has had a problem with wastewater for a while because our old facility is outdated and reaching capacity,” explains Minister of Environment and Parks, and MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, Jason Nixon. “Most of us of course don’t think what happens with wastewater, but obviously it’s one of the most critical components of the community’s infrastructure to keep us safe and of course to be able to do it in a cost effective way.”

Nixon says the community was in need of a new wastewater treatment plant and notes, the Alberta Government was able to help with a $7.5 million commitment to the project.

With the new wastewater treatment plant, however, also comes new technology, adds Nixon.

“This is the first time this technology will be used in the province, it has been used in places like Saskatchewan and throughout the world,” shares Nixon. “This new technology will be able to affect many communities across the province positively because it is significantly cheaper.”

Nixon acknowledges, the big steps in the beginning, were working with the Department of Environment and the Town of Sundre.

He says he also had to put teams together to head to Saskatchewan to ensure this new technology would be safe and able to work in Alberta. Another step, according to Nixon, was securing funding from the Alberta government.

“Now we’re at the spot where we’re announcing the breaking of the ground for the actual project, and the construction of the brand new wastewater plant in the community of Sundre,” says Nixon.

Although uncertain of a completion date, Nixon says the project is moving forward in the upcoming fiscal year. He anticipates the new facility to be online fairly quickly and serving the people of Sundre in the not-too-distant future.