File photo of Lethbridge City Hall. On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, council voted in favour of the mayor providing a letter of support, on behalf of council, to the Town of Coaldale and the Town of Taber for two Alberta Community Partnership grant applications. (Photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge council voices support for water and wastewater improvements

Oct 3, 2023 | 3:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Council members in Lethbridge voted unanimously to take further action to improve the city’s water and wastewater services.

On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, council voted in favour of the mayor providing a letter of support, on behalf of council, to the Town of Coaldale and the Town of Taber for two Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) grant applications. They are seeking funding for high-level servicing analyses of potable water and wastewater infrastructure along the Highway 3 corridor.

The City of Lethbridge noted that there is a desire at both the provincial and municipal levels to develop the corridor along Highway 3 between Lethbridge and Medicine Hat as a global hub for agri-food processing facilities. The City of Lethbridge said it is prepared to act as the technical lead on both applications regarding analysis of the Lethbridge region and existing regional customers.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen stated, “We are committed to regional collaboration and recognize that it is in the mutual interests of all communities to work together in the pursuit of regional economic development.”

Hyggen, who introduced the motion to council, added, “It is fiscally responsible to invest in the maintenance and expansion of existing Municipal infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the communities and industries.”

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He continued, “Advocacy efforts are happening at multiple levels, including meaningful conversations between Provincial ministries and Council members at the Alberta Municipalities conference last week.”

REGIONAL HUB

Lethbridge serves as a regional hub for water and wastewater treatment. The city provides services to over 133,000 citizens in Lethbridge and the surrounding areas, including Lethbridge County, Coalhurst, Coaldale, Diamond City, Monarch, Picture Butte, Iron Springs, Turin and Chin.

The City of Lethbridge’s General Manager of Water and Wastewater Services, Doug Kaupp, made a presentation to the Economic Standing Policy Committee (SPC) on September 13 regarding coming changes to water and wastewater rates.

Kaupp stated, “Lethbridge’s municipal water and wastewater treatment systems require substantial capital upgrades and expansion to meet anticipated near-term and long-term growth in regional and industrial demands, which would facilitate economic development in the city and region.”

On September 13, members of the Economic SPC directed City Administration to:

1. Refer the Water and Wastewater 2022-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) amendments back to Administration to investigate more options and report back to an Economic Standing Policy Committee in Q2 2024, or earlier
2. Refer Bylaws 6415 – 2024 Water Rates, and 6416 – 2024 Wastewater Rates, back to Administration to revise them based on the approved budget to hold the rates to those approved in the Operating Budget, without any additional increases, and return to the City Council meeting of October 3, 2023
3. Direct the Mayor to send a letter to the appropriate provincial and federal ministries as well as the Premier, advocating on behalf of the community for the needs of Water and Wastewater in Lethbridge

On Tuesday, October 3, first readings passed for both Bylaws 6415 and 6416 as the next step to setting the 2024 water and wastewater rates.

The City of Lethbridge noted that in 2024, water rates are slated to increase by two per cent for all customers. Wastewater rates are set to go up by three per cent for all customers.

The increases were approved by City Council in late 2022 as part of the 2023-26 Operating Budget.

Officials added that the water and wastewater utilities are funding through utility rates. The rates are set to provide the revenue that is required to balance the expenses listed in the operating budget. These expenses include the costs associated with water and wastewater treatment, pumping and storage, maintenance and life-cycle renewal of underground infrastructure, as well as payments on debt that funds approved CIP projects.

UP NEXT

The second and third readings on the rate increase bylaws will come forward to council at or before December 12. Officials said that the new rates would come into effect on January 1, 2024.

Residents with questions or concerns will be able to speak with representatives from the Water and Wastewater Department at the next City of Lethbridge community conversation, scheduled for October 23 at the ENMAX Centre.

READ MORE: City of Lethbridge set for next community conversation

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