Safe supply of clean water on tap at Economic & Finance SPC

The City has a plan to make impactful upgrades to the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant, without having to raise water rates for residents.

Members of City Council, attending today’s Economic & Finance Standing Policy Committee (SPC), discussed the need for increased capacity at the plant. The proposed projects will help to ensure a stable supply of clean water for the growing community and region. 

The SPC approved a recommendation to City Council to amend the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for the addition of a new, larger capacity clarifier and power upgrades. These are essential first steps to increase Lethbridge’s water treatment capacity and address critical aging infrastructure within the existing plant. 

“The information that was presented today shows the importance of prioritizing these two projects at the water treatment plant,” says Deputy Mayor, Rajko Dodic. “We can’t risk having one of our current clarifiers fail and not have the capacity to treat the water our community needs.”

These are significant projects estimated at $67.2 million but will not require any water rate increase to residents. Thanks to strong financial planning over the years, the City has water capital funding available to support this work. With potential grant funding, and responsible debt servicing already factored into water rates, construction is ready to move forward.

“This is a big financial commitment, but fortunately, we have policies in place that help support these critical infrastructure needs,” says Darrell Mathews, Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer. “Think of it as having a healthy down payment saved up when you purchase a house. Even though we don’t have the full amount for the project today, the money we can put towards it is enough to make the borrowing costs manageable, without having to increase water rates.”

The Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant is a critical facility. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide clean water to the community and the region. These projects will reduce the risk of clarifier and power supply failure. This will, in turn, reduce the chance of disruptions at the plant that could lead to significant public health risks and economic impacts for Lethbridge and area. 

These two projects are just phase one of a larger water treatment plant expansion plan.
“The new clarifier is the first step to increase capacity from its current 150 million litres per day to 180,” says Joel Sanchez, Director of Infrastructure Services. “There is also a phase two to this plan that, down the road, could see the plant increase to 250 million litres a day. That is where we will see a big jump in being able to support economic growth and industry development for our City and the region, well into the future.” 

If City Council approves the CIP amendments, the two projects are anticipated to start this summer and be completed by December of 2027.