CARSTAIRS - Work on Carstairs' new $8.3 million water reservoir project is coming along nicely, the municipality's council heard during last week’s regularly-scheduled council meeting.
“All four concrete walls are expected to be poured by the end of the month, weather permitting,” chief administrative officer Rick Blair told the Albertan. “Despite recent weather conditions, there have been no delays, and the project remains ahead of schedule.”
The reservoir is located south of Highway 581 at Range Road 13 on municipally-owned property. The project is slated for completion in August 2026.
The new water reservoir is needed to meet the requirements of the town’s expanding east side neighbourhoods, says mayor Lance Colby.
“We have to put in the new water reservoir,” he said. “We have so much building going on in the east that we need the reservoir in order to meet the requirements.
“If we don’t have it, we are not going to have enough water to service the development that is going in there. If people want to build, they can build and not have to worry about trying to get water. We want to keep ahead of it.”
The project is being funded through a combination of dedicated reserves, off-site levies and grants.
Meanwhile, the town announced last week that it has been awarded new grant funding from the government of Alberta through the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership to support the reservoir project.
The $1.48 million will help offset increased costs that have emerged since the original project estimates, said Blair.
“The financial support will allow Carstairs to proceed with the key water infrastructure upgrades, ensuring the community continues to grow safely and sustainably,” he said.
“These upgrades are essential to our town’s development and will have a direct impact on the health, safety, quality of life, and financial viability for our residents providing clean water to Carstairs for years to come.”
