News | DrumhellerMail - Page #2
02182025Tue
Last updateMon, 17 Feb 2025 11am

Water safe despite odour concerns

water tap

The Town of Drumheller is aware of the recent concerns regarding our water's visual appearance and odour in some parts of the Valley. We want to assure residents that our water is safe to drink and fully meets the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and municipal waterworks standards set by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.
Crews are investigating the causes of these concerns through continuous testing of both the raw and treated water. These tests aim to identify potential factors contributing to the unusual appearance and odour and to inform possible treatment solutions.
As a community that relies on surface water from the Red Deer River, the Town’s water treatment system is influenced by seasonal changes in water quality. Variations in flow and the broader impacts of a changing environment can affect the composition of the raw water entering the treatment plant. To manage these variations, the Town utilizes four (4) raw water reservoirs on the north side of the river. These reservoirs help regulate demand and provide limited pre-treatment before the water enters the treatment facility.
The Town’s water treatment plant uses a multi-barrier approach, including suspended solids removal, filtration, ultraviolet (UV) treatment, and chlorination to ensure water quality. These processes are closely monitored to ensure the water meets all regulatory standards for safety.
Additionally, the Town conducts weekly bacteriological testing throughout the piped water areas of Drumheller to monitor for indicator organisms. These samples are sent to a provincial lab for analysis, and we are pleased to report that all tests to date have been passed.
While we continue to investigate the visual and odour issues, we want to reassure the community that the water is fully potable and safe for all uses. We understand the importance of clean, clear water, and we are working to resolve these concerns as quickly as possible.
We also invite residents to visit the Town's water treatment plant for an informative tour. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the complexities of water treatment and gain firsthand insight. Please contact the Town’s Utilities Department at infrastructure@drumheller.ca or call 403-823-1330.
Utilities staff will also be happy to answer any questions at the March 5, 2025 Public Information Open House being held at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF). Should there be sufficient interest, the Town may plan additional tours during April's Water Week this year.


Drumheller RCMP arrest break and enter suspects

IMG 4400

On Tuesday, January 28 at approximately 11:00 a.m., Drumheller RCMP responded to a 911 call of a break and enter in progress on an oil lease site located in Kneehill County, west of Drumheller. It was reported that 2 suspects were loading property into a dark coloured mini-van at the site.
While officers were en route, the suspects and suspect vehicle left the location; however, officers located and stopped the suspect vehicle on Highway 575 near Range Road 212A. Two suspects were arrested and taken into custody.
A search of the suspect vehicle, a green Mazda van, found large quantities of suspected stolen copper wire, tools, fuel, and more. Further investigation found that both suspects were wanted on outstanding arrest warrants and both bound by prior Release Order conditions.
Sarah Doumont, 38, and Ryan Watson, 48, both residents of Calgary, were arrested and jointly charged with the following offenses:
Break and enter and did commit
Mischief over $5,000
Theft under $5,000
Fail to comply with release order
Possession of break-in instruments
Watson was additionally charged with the following:
Fail to comply with release order x 3
Possession of property obtained by crime
Operate motor vehicle with expired licence plate
Doumont was also arrested for 16 outstanding warrants, which included:
Fail to comply with court order x 7
Fail to attend court x 4
Possess stolen property
Flight from police
Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
Fraudulent concealment
Drive Motor Vehicle when Authorized
Watson was also arrested for the following 3 outstanding arrest warrants:
Fail to comply with court order x 2
Fail to attend court
Both Doumont and Watson were remanded into custody following Judicial Interim Release Hearings.
Doumont appeared in the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary on Friday, January 31, while Watson appeared in the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary on Monday, February 3.
If you have information regarding this event or any other suspicious or illegal activity, please contact Drumheller RCMP at 403-823-2630. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

Busy year ahead for Morrin

IMG 9370

The Village of Morrin is looking to grow and is hoping to get a new subdivision off the ground.
The Mail caught up with the Village of Morrin Mayor Chris Hall to discuss the year that has passed as well as look towards the combiner.
He tells the Mail in 2024 they were working on some lots ready to sell.
“We have some lots for sale at the south end of town. We are hoping to get some development in there,” said Mayor Hall.
He says there are 11 lots that are developed and ready to go, although there is still some service work to be completed.
“The developer knows of those so he will probably have it in his plan to complete it and make it work,” said Hall.
He adds lots in the community are selling.
Business wise the village appears to be doing well. The new ownership at the hotel appears to be carrying out business, and the ATB Branch that for years was housed at the Starland County office is now being operated by Sharpes Trucking, which also does bookkeeping and is a Pioneer agent.
Infrastructure-wise, Mayor Hall says last year the Village did some pothole repair. These repairs combine with the replacement work that was completed when the new school was constructed, making for an improvement.
Hall says they are on the lookout for grants that will help them with more paving.
“We are going to pave Main Street. It has to be done, it is decaying away on us so it has to be done. The water won’t even run,” he said.
One event on the schedule for this year is the Morrin Show and Shine, put on by the Morrin Pioneer Cruisers. It is slated for May 17. While the event is relatively new, it has been growing bringing out some of the best whips from miles around.
“The Salvation Army is going to come up this year and we are going to donate to them,” said Hall.


Subcategories

The Drumheller Mail encourages commenting on our stories but due to our harassment policy we must remove any comments that are offensive, or don’t meet the guidelines of our commenting policy.