Mayor and CouncilSenior AdministrationAgendas and MinutesAnnual ReportsBylawsCity DepartmentsCity ServicesEconomic DevelopmentMajor InitiativesPoliciesStaff DirectoryElection Information
About Grande PrairieBidding OpportunitiesBusiness Revitalization ZoneCity ServicesCommunity PlanningEconomic DevelopmentFees and ChargesMapsPayment EnquiriesPermits, Inspections and LicensesProperty TaxesStarting a BusinessTransportationUtility Services
About Grande PrairieCity FacilitesGetting Around GPHow to Get to GPLocal and Regional LinksRecreation, Parks and Culture
City ServicesCity FacilitiesCommunity ProgramsEducation, Health and GovernmentEmergency ServicesEnvironmentFees and ChargesGetting Around GPPermits, Inspections and LicensesProperty TaxesAbout Grande PrairieRecreation, Parks and CultureUtility Services
quick links
this section

Utilities

Utilities supply safe, clean water and are environmentally responsible for the treatment of sewage and solid waste essential to the health of the residents of, and visitors to Grande Prairie and Region. We strive for excellence in the reliable provision of high-quality potable water delivered to all customers in the most economical and effective manner possible, collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater and sewage - returning it to the environment responsibly, operation of the sanitary landfill for permanent disposal of solid waste, and provision for and promotion of the three R's - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

In 2002, the City intends to create a for-profit utility corporation incorporating these utility services and pursue regional services.

                        

WATER TREATMENT/DISTRIBUTION

Water is diverted from the Wapiti River and is treated to produce potable water meeting Alberta Environment's standards and the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. The water is then delivered to homes and businesses via a series of pump stations and reservoirs through over 280 km of underground pipe. The water service is metered to ensure the equitable assessment of costs to each customer. Water is also provided for firefighting purposes with over 1,000 fire hydrants located throughout the City.

  • Commencement of the first of several phases to increase the capacity of the pipeline feeding the Water Treatment Plant to keep up with the demands of a growing city
  • Construction of a new pump station and reservoir near the City's north end to provide better flows for fire protection and more consistent water pressures
  • Continuation of several preventative maintenance programs by staff involving watermains, valves, hydrants, and water service lines
  • Completion of an upgrade to the Water Treatment  Plant's filtration system to improve the quality of the potable water

2002 will see the commissioning of the new water pump station, the progression of the Raw Water Pipeline Upgrade to Phase II, and several studies to identify current and future needs for the water system to enable it to continue to meet the needs of the customers and the regulatory bodies.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT/COLLECTION

 

Sanitary sewage is collected from over 11,000 homes and businesses and is treated to Alberta Environment's standards at the Wastewater Treatment Facilities. The treated liquid is then discharged to the Wapiti River while the solid portion is "digested" and used as interim cover material at the Sanitary Landfill Site.

  • Installation of a new sludge dewatering unit at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Continuation of several preventative maintenance programs by staff involving sewermains, manholes,and sewer service lines

2002 will see the upgrade of the existing control system at the Water/Wastewater Treatment Facilities, and preparation of a Wastewater Collection, and Treatment Facilities Master Plan to identify current and future needs for the wastewater system. An Odour Control Measures Study to review current and future potential odour sources at the Wastewater Treatment Plant will also be implemented.

 

SOLID WASTE SERVICES

 

Solid Waste Services provides waste collection, waste reduction, and waste disposal services. These services include: the operation of the Sanitary Landfill Site, residential garbage collection, residential and commercial recycling, household hazardous waste collection, composting, collection of fall leaves, and the Christmas Tree Mulch.

 

  • New program initiated for accepting branches at the EcoCentre
  • Commercial cardboard recycling program expanded from 9 to 26 bins
  • Recycling bins for office paper and newspaper bins combined
  • Polypropylene (#5 plastic) added to residential recycling program
  • Recycling rate for commercial cardboard increased by 47%
  • Construction and operation of the first Bioreactor test cell in Western Canada
  • Separation of 1,100 tonnes of wood waste at the Sanitary Landfill Site
  • Use of 5,600 tonnes of biosolids as intermediate cover replacement at the Sanitary Landfill Site
  • Use of new tarp system as daily cover extending the life of the Sanitary Landfill SiteParks Operations will continue to enhance the City's green spaces in 2002, ensuring the master plans for both the Parks system and the Cemetery are implemented.

In 2002, Solid Waste Services looks forward to implementing an Architectural Clearing House to reuse construction material. This is a pilot project reusing wood waste, opening a permanent household hazardous waste depot, construction of a public receiving area at the Sanitary Landfill Site, and completing a Solid Waste Master Plan.