The first phase of the Pigeon Lake Regional Wastewater Project is complete but those involved still have a lot of work ahead of them before even thinking about celebrating Phase 2 and 3.
The summer villages of Pigeon Lake, County of Wetaskiwin representatives and dignitaries celebrated the completion of Phase 1 in the Summer Village of Ma-Me-O Beach with speeches and a ribbon cutting on May 27.
Brian Keeler, chair of the Pigeon Lake Regional Wastewater Project committee and Summer Village of Norris Beach mayor said summer villages of Pigeon Lake, Norris Beach, Crystal Springs and Ma-Me-O Beach will be the first ones to hook up to the regional line.
“It has taken more than 12 years to get to this point and our vision is becoming a reality,” said Keeler.
Keeler took a moment to thank the ministries of Transportation, Environment and Municipal Affairs for their support during the first phase of the project.
Grants are already in place for the summer villages of Grandview and Poplar Bay, as well as county developments for local phase two. Keeler says the hope is to get portion of the project started by September 2016.
Regional grants for Phase 2 are needed and by September 2017 it hopefully can begin, says Keeler.
Having the three phases complete with ensure all sewage and wastewater from developments and infrastructure around the lake will be managed properly, improving the quality of human health and the health of the environment and the lake.
County of Wetaskiwin reeve Kathy Rooyakkers says the completion of the first phase of the project is “a shining example” of collaboration between may communities and other organizations.
“Together we strive for one common goal and that was to strive to provide a higher quality of life for our residents,” said Rooyakkers.