Okotoks Water & Wastewater System

operational

Opportunity In 2005 Okotoks’ growing population was beginning to cause concern as their existing wastewater treatment plant was already nearing capacity. The existing wastewater plant was also close to the upper regulatory limits for waste discharge with a pending moratorium from the Alberta Ministry of the Environment if the plant was not upgraded within a year. The town took action by entering into an early public-private partnership, structured using the Design-Build-Operate model, in order to ensure a new plant was designed and built before the provincial deadline. Innovations In order to complete the $11.2 million expansion at less than half of the estimated costs, EPCOR took advantage of existing facilities and buildings to save on cost and land requirements. Reducing potential risks associated with construction delays and cost overruns that occur with a conventional design tender process was one of the main reasons the town opted for the P3 approach. Results The 10 million litre per day tertiary wastewater treatment plant serves a population of 28,016 (2015 Municipal Census) and uses the latest standards and technology including a biological nutrient removal process, ultraviolet light disinfection and composting of biosolids sludge. EPCOR provided necessary upgrades to the existing wastewater treatment plant in addition to providing ongoing maintenance and operations of the water and sewage utilities for the next 20 years. Town Council continues to set annual utility rates, approve annual utility budgets and bill customers. EPCOR works in cooperation with local, provincial and federal environmental agencies to ensure all regulatory and environmental requirements are met or exceeded. Initial estimates by EPCOR suggest savings of more than $13 million. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities awarded the Town of Okotoks with a Sustainable Community Award for its water conservation, efficiency and productivity programs in 2015.

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