Water. For Our Future. Open House. Rural Potable Water. May 4, pm 9 pm. Bonanza Recreation Hall

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1 Water For Our Future Rural Potable Water Open House May 4, pm 9 pm Bonanza Recreation Hall

2 Purpose Studies Access to good quality potable water, in any community, encourages economic growth, enhances a sense of community, promotes responsibility and ownership, and improves property values. Saddle Hills Council needs your input about the provision of potable water in our County. Rural Water Master Plan (2014) In 2014 Council commissioned the Rural Water Master Plan to identify and recommend the most viable options for providing a sustainable treated water supply for municipal, rural and commercial use. The plan provided eight options, all of which included four water treatment plants with truck fills including information on catch basins and water supply options. Each of the eight options studied different locations and water sources including potential raw water intake from the Peace River. The options were forecast to cost between $30M and $69M. Based on the Rural Water Master Plan, the County proceeded with a plan which included the construction of two water treatment plants, reservoirs and truck fills - one at the County Complex and one in Bonanza. Site Selection Memorandum (2016) In 2016 Council commissioned the Site Selection Memorandum for Savanna and Bay Tree Water Treatment Plants (Catch Basin Study) to select water treatment plant and raw water reservoir sites appropriate to serve the communities of Savanna and Bay Tree based on normal precipitation and a sufficient source of water. The study examined a number of potential sites and recommended two sites for further investigation.

3 Work to Date Water Treatment Plants, Truck Fills, Reservoirs, Distribution Lines Ksituan Two reservoirs, a water treatment plant and a truck fill have been constructed at the County Complex for an estimated final cost of $6.5M plus $252,000 for a distribution line to the County Complex. Reservoir Capacity: 105,000 m3 Plant Capacity: 350 m3/day Catchment Area Capacity: 38,500 m3/year Bonanza Two reservoirs, a water treatment plant and a truck fill have been constructed near Bonanza for an estimated final cost of $6.5M plus $1.6 M for the distribution line bringing service to the Truck Fill and the community. Reservoir Capacity: 130,000 m3 Plant Capacity: 350 m3/day Catchment Area Capacity: 133,376 m3/year

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5 Action Strategic Plan In January of 2017 Council chose a Potable Water Strategy as one of its Top Priorities in its Strategic Plan. Council has embarked on an exploration of the costs and benefits of providing direct delivery of potable water to property owners as well as look at constructing a new Water Treatment Plant in Savanna as part of their 2017 Action Items. Rural Water Workshop Council held a Rural Water Workshop on March 30, 2017 to review Velocity Group s findings regarding direct delivery of potable water. Rural Potable Water Policy Council debated and approved a new Rural Potable Water Servicing Policy in April of The Policy will govern future rural potable water infrastructure expansion if direct delivery method is approved. Public Consultation An Open House was organized for May 4, 2017 at the Bonanza Rec Hall in order inform the public of what Council has learned and to seek public input. The Bay Tree and Bonanza areas are being considered as the first communities within Saddle Hills County for direct delivery of potable water because they currently offer the highest density and most costeffective opportunity for direct delivery.

6 Our Opportunities The County is currently at a fork in the road as it moves forward with its potable water project. The work accomplished to date helps County residents by providing better water options. We are researching a full array of options for increasing levels of service. We are looking for your input. The possibility of providing potable water, delivered directly to property owners, is being investigated and considered as an option for the future of the County. Future modifications to the Water Treatment Plants to accommodate direct delivery options have been investigated by the County. Current Cardlock (Truck Fill) System 1. Maintain and Expand Cardlock (Truck Fill) System Of the options available in the Rural Water Master Plan, Council settled on Option One which envisioned the construction of the four water treatment plants, reservoirs and truck fills to make potable water more readily available to the majority of County residents. This plan is based on reservoirs collecting surface run-off from each of four catchment areas. The Rural Water Master Plan did not look at direct distribution of potable water to County residents through a network of pipelines, but focused on improving access shortening the travel distance, through cardlock truck fill sites being located within a 20-km radius of the majority of homes in the County.

7 Our Opportunities Direct Delivery 2. County Operated Potable Water System One option for delivering potable water directly to the homes and businesses of property owners is for the County to be responsible for constructing and operating the entire process from reservoirs and water treatment plants to the web of pipelines required to deliver potable water to all households and businesses. The County would bear the costs of building and operating the system and bill customers on a monthly basis for water used. Connection fees would apply. This plan was based on reservoirs collecting surface run-off from applicable catchment areas. 3. Water Co-op Operated Potable Water System A water co-op enables property owners to pool resources, share ownership and costs, as well as the benefits of a self-owned water distribution system similar to the Central Peace Natural Gas Co-op. Each customer is a member and owner of the co-op with an equal say as every other member of the cooperative. The cost of the main distribution trunk waterline could be borne by the municipality. If this model is used, the cost of constructing a distribution servicing line to the property lines would be borne by the municipality while cost of supply lines, including hook-up and delivery to the home, would be the responsibility of the water co-op. The co-op would purchase water from the municipality and resells it to its members, typically through a monthly water bill. Water co-ops which work well have significant buy-in from residents as well as financial structures and financing options which are sustainable over the long term. The majority of rural potable water utility systems in Alberta use a Trickle System.

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9 What is a Trickle System? Most rural direct delivery water systems use a trickle system which limits the flow rate to each service - typically 1 to 2 imp gals per minute or less ( 1 imp gal = 4.54 litres), therefore each home requires a storage tank and equipment. Each home requires a water storage tank (recommended minimum size of 90 litres (200 gallons); a pressure system (pump; flow control regulator; check valves; manual and automatic shut-off control valves; and, a meter assembly. The water system s owners responsibility and liability can be either up to the curb-stop or to the meter assembly with the exceptions of water breaks within the home. If a Direct Delivery System is selected, how much will it cost me? Typically financing options can be considered, through either a co-op system or a municipally-owned system, whereby the connection fee is paid in monthly installments over a period of years making this option more affordable for the customer. Connection fees can vary anywhere from $10,000 to $18,000 or more, depending on the distance from the municipal main line to the house. Typically connection fees include all costs associated with the installation of piping from the municipal water main to the curb stop and then on into the storage tank for the house. The County s new UT01 Rural Potable Water Servicing policy establishes the service connection fees. Water storage tanks and associated equipment costs can vary anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000. Some houses may already have a storage tank installed, either outside or inside the house. Connections fees are typically a portion of the total cost and the remainder is funded through grants (if available), municipal funding and/or loans.

10 Why a Water Co-op? A water co-op is comprised of individuals who represent the community and have organized themselves for the sole purpose of providing water services at a set fee for all customers, based on the estimated average cost of all services. Each customer is an owner/member of the co-op and all members have an equal voice and vote. Potential members purchase a membership to express their interest. Water co-ops are incorporated and regulated by rural utilities under the provisions of the Rural Utilities Act within the jurisdiction of the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Agency. Water co-ops are usually a separate corporation from the municipality, governed by an elected board of directors and may or may not have employees. Many co-ops have a director representing each region (ward) similar to a municipal council and may have a member of council sit on the board. Typically, water co-ops purchase potable water from the Municipality and sell it to their members. Municipalities often assist with co-op system operations (i.e. line flushing, meter reading, billing, system monitoring and compliance sampling/testing). Co-ops serve municipal residents and, as such, it may make sense to utilize municipal manpower, equipment and water system operators to support and promote the expansion of a water co-op or municipal service.

11 Co-ops are: 1. Community-driven therefore it has proven easier to obtain land easements and there tends to be less-to-no expectation of compensation for rights-of-way or dealing with trenches in agricultural fields 2. Independent and do not require lengthy budget approvals to move forward with projects 3. Free to select local reputable contractors to complete project and maintenance work 4. Not-for-profit organizations 5. Eligible to join the Federation of Co-ops which provides affordable liability insurance and support for the creation and development of coop Why Potable Water? Access to potable water: 1. Encourages economic development 2. Enhances a sense of community 3. Promotes responsibility and ownership 4. Improves property values

12 Give Us Your Thoughts Speak to your councillor about the options available or get in touch with the County. Mail: RR 1, Spirit River, Alberta, Canada, T0H 3G0 Phone: Fax: