Provincial flood mitigation grants announced for Medicine Hat and area

By Medicine Hat News on April 24, 2017.

Medicine Hat and area will receive more than $2 million in provincial grant funding for flood mitigation.

The announcement was made at Medicine Hat City Hall on Monday.

Medicine Hat will receive $774,000 for improvements to the Pumphouse #12 water intake facility to protect water intake during flooding and ensure the city’s powerplant remains operational during flood events.

“Power and clean, safe, potable water are two necessities of a community. This grant will protect critical equipment in our power and water treatment plants during a flood by preventing cobbles and gravel from entering the intake system of the pumphouse,” stated Mayor Ted Clugston in a release.

Cypress County will receive $923,400 to move its lone water pump station out of the flood hazard area, a move that will ensure safe drinking water for Veinerville.

“Cypress County is grateful for funding received for relocation of the pumping station at Veinerville. Residents can be assured that they will have a safe source of water when flooding occurs,” said Reeve Darcy Geigle.

The remainder of the $2.1 million in funding is split between the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance Society ($221,000) to restore portions of the river bank areas along Seven Persons Creek and the County of Warner ($157,000) to support the river bank and water quality work of the Milk River Ridge Reservoir Water Quality Stewardship Initiative.

The grants are part of the $63 million announced in the 2017 provincial budget to help communities adapt to severe weather and climate change.