Gift Lake eyes Lesser Slave Lake for water

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

Gift Lake Metis Settlement is eyeing Lesser Slave Lake as a potential future water source for its growing population. And if plans prove feasible, M.D. of Big Lakes citizens in Salt Prairie may be able to form a rural water co-op and hook onto a main water line heading north to Gift Lake. Ken Shaw, Gift Lake’s director of Public Works, wrote the M.D. council Jan. 12 with his proposal. “The Gift Lake Metis Settlement has been in discussions with Alberta Environment for some time now in regards to needs of a secure water supply for our community and the need to determine if our present system is adequate to meet our present and future needs,” writes Shaw. He adds that the Gift Lake council recently requested proposals from companies to perform a feasibility study of their water works system. The engineering services would identify and assess the upgrade requirements for a new Gift Lake water treatment plant and make a comparison to a regional potable water supply from the hamlet of Grouard, which receives water from Lesser Slave Lake. “This study would identify routing of transmission mains as well as any required expansion or upgrades at the existing facilities in Grouard,” says Shaw. As a result, Gift Lake is interested in a regional approach to meet the water needs of Gift Lake, Grouard and other areas such as Salt Prairie. M.D. Public Works Supt. Gilles Lussier has already studied the matter and told council that government would fund 90 per cent of the cost of a regional pipeline. That may make the possibility of rural water co-op in Salt Prairie feasible. “It would sure be nice for the residents in my area,” said Prairie Echo, Salt Prairie Councillor David Marx. The M.D. agreed to contact Gift Lake and have members serve on a committee. “Gift Lake Settlement Council believes the need to work together is apparent and would be pleased to work with the M.D. of Big Lakes. . .prior to any decisions being made,” writes Shaw. The whole idea still hinges on the feasibility study of Gift Lake to stay local or go to Lesser Slave Lake for water.

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