Athabasca County is thrilled to announce a pivotal milestone in the region’s water infrastructure enhancement efforts: the successful grant approval of the Water for Life program for the Island Lake Water Line Extension project, and for feasibility studies to extend water lines to the Hamlets of Caslan and Rochester. These grant approvals and projects will allow more County residents to access potable water directly in their own communities.
Athabasca County Council previously provided support behind the County’s application to the Water for Life program, driven by the request from the Aspen Regional Water Services Commission and the Summer Villages of Island Lake, Island Lake South, South Baptiste, West Baptiste, Whispering Hills, and Sunset Beach. This crucial grant will cover 90% of the Island Lake Waterline project’s expenses, solidifying the County’s commitment to advancing water access and sustainability initiatives in the region.
In addition, the County received approval for feasibility studies to examine the extension of water service to Caslan and Rochester. While this does not guarantee that the water line can or will be extended, it is the first step in the decision-making process for such service to be provided.
“The recent confirmation of the Water for Life grant approval marks a momentous achievement for the County,
reinforcing our dedication to securing vital resources for the region. This significant milestone underscores the
collaborative spirit and proactive approach taken by County Council, the Water Commission, and the Summer Village
regional partners in championing the region’s water infrastructure development. On behalf of County Council, I wish
to express our sincere gratitude to Minister Dreeshen and the Province for the grant, and MLA Glenn van Dijken for
his instrumental role in advocating for our project.”
— Brian Hall, Reeve, Athabasca County
“Expansion of the regional drinking water system to the west of the Town of Athabasca is an excellent investment.
Increased water usage in the regional system reduces the unit cost of water and is a benefit for all water users in the
region. Whether you are purchasing a coffee in Town or using a car wash, hauling water to an acreage, or any other
use, fixed costs will now be shared by more users, reducing the unit cost of treated water. I am very grateful for the
leadership of the various municipal councils and stakeholders advocating for this project. The Provincial government
has recognized the collaborative spirit of this region and continues to be generous in awarding funding to improve
the drinking water systems in the greater Athabasca County Region. I believe this is something we can all celebrate.”
— Jamie Giberson, Commission Manager, Aspen Regional Water Services Commission
“The Summer Village of Island Lake is excited by the news of the grant approval from the Province. We look forward
to working with our regional partners to see this project move forward, which will provide a valuable water source to
our Summer Village and all the other residents in the west part of Athabasca County.”
— Chad Newton, Mayor, Summer Village of Island Lake
With a total maximum grant of $15,908,000 across all four projects earmarked for these essential initiatives, the County remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring sustainable water resources for its residents and businesses.
The last major expansion of water services to a community in the region occurred in 2012 when Wandering River was connected to the regional water supply, providing an essential service to the residents of the hamlet.
Additional Information
The following projects will be funded under Transportation and Economic Corridors’ Water for Life Program:
• Feasibility Study: Hamlet of Caslan and Area, maximum grant: $74,500.
• Feasibility Study: Hamlet of Rochester and Area, maximum grant: $74,500.
• Design for Island Lake Regional Water Extension, maximum grant $819,000.
• Construction for Island Lake Regional Water Extension, maximum grant: $14,940,000.
