Town Council received answers to some of its concerns about a request from Rocky View County to change the boundaries of where it could use water.
Currently, the Town of Drumheller has an agreement with Aqua 7 Water Services Commission (formerly Kneehill Regional Water Services Commission) to supply a maximum of 8,200 cubic metres of water per day. Of that amount, 2,200 cubic metes per day has been allocated to Rocky View County. However, currently the county is bound by an agreement, which only allows water from the Drumheller treatment plant to be used in a certain geographical area.
Last summer Rocky View requested the geographical restriction be lifted so water could be used in all points in the county.
Council discussed the proposal at a meeting on November 7 and raised a few questions including liability, the possibility the change may violate provincial policy, as it could be an intra-basin transfer, and the cost benefit.
At Monday night’s committee meeting, CAO Ray Romanetz addressed these questions.
One of council’s concerns was for liability, if allowing the water to flow to all points in Rocky View, would that expose the town or more liability issues?
Upon exploration of the question, administration asked its insurer, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association if it would expose the town to risk.
Its reply was that … “It could open you up to more suits because there would be more end users for the water; and should there be an insurable loss, everyone would be named.”
Rocky View plans, when they use the water, to pump it directly to their new East Balzac Water Treatment Plant, which already accesses water from the Western Irrigation District. Because they are mixing water it may expose Drumheller to less risk.
“However, because of the mixing of water, it would be more difficult to find an exact cause,” was stated in the town’s response from their insurers, in the event there was a water issue.
Administration also learned the changes would not make a difference in its insurance costs, however if there were a claim that resulted in a significant payout, it is likely premiums would increase.
If the Town allowed the geographical restrictions to be lifted, it could constitute an intra-basin transfer. This means water from the Red Deer River Sub Basin may be transferred to the Bow River Sub Basin. Both are part of the South Saskatchewan River Basin, as the waterways eventually converge.
According to information received by administration Alberta Environment generally would not have any concern s about an intra-basin transfer.
Administration explained in its response that because it is an existing licence, there are no issues. However if a new licence were to be applied for, it would have to follow guidelines set out in documents called “Major Principles and Recommendations approved by AENV for Intra-Basin Water Movement." This report was requested by then Minister of Environment Rob Renner following the Balzac Water Application in 2007.
Administration adds if Alberta Environment had any concerns, it would be the responsibility of Aqua 7 or Rocky View to amend or transfer existing approvals.
While Rocky View is currently requesting the change, administration has learned they have no immediate need for the water, and are planning for the future. This means there would be no immediate benefit to the Town of Drumheller or Aqua 7. It could however impact Aqua 7 in “its ability to source additional water that could become available in the short term working within the maximum commitment provided through the Water Supply agreement dated 2005.”
In the long term if water is used there would be an increase in the cost of power, chemicals and labour costs, however due to economies of scales there would be a nominal decrease in the cost of water.
