Gene Sobolewski, Project Manager and Kai Ch'ng, P. Eng. with Associated Engineering (AE), Golnez Azimi and Matt Brassard with Urban Systems Ltd., and Mike Yakimchuk with Alberta Transportation were admitted to Council at 1:40 p.m. to discuss the connection to the Hwy 28/63 water line.
Gene Sobolewski presented his findings on the Hwy 28/63 servicing capacities for the hamlets of Ashmont and Mallaig. He said that based on the projected water demands provided by Urban Systems Ltd. the existing Hwy 28/63 system can supply water to Ashmont and Lottie Lake until 2020. He also advised Council that the 25 year flow demand from the Ashmont/Lottie Lake and Mallaig systems can be adequately serviced by the Hwy 28/63 system with pump upgrades at Egremont and Smoky Lake. A booster station would be required at Edwand and additional upgrades to the existing communication, flow control and metering systems will also be required as part of the overall upgrade program. Further analysis will be required to determine whether the impacts of the proposed pump upgrades at Egremont and Smoky Lake will necessitate further upgrades to the existing infrastructure.
Mike Yakimchuk then advised Council that Alberta Transportation is currently not in the business of building new Water Treatment Plants and they will support the least costly alternative. He also informed Council that Alberta Transportation will not pay for the report prepared by AE under the Water for Life funding as he felt the information presented was already known. Mike then advised Council that if they decide to connect to the Hwy 28/63 Water Line it would not be considered a scope change but would require that the County submit a new application and the deadline for applications is November 30th.