NEWS RELEASE – Process Water Intake Receives Water Act Approval
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Process Water Intake Receives Water Act Approval
April 29, 2025 – LAMONT, AB: Lamont County receives approval from Alberta’s Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas for the County’s Water Act Application for a process water intake from the North Saskatchewan River—located at NE 23-057-20-W4.
The Water Act approval and Notice of Decision letters are at lamontcountynow.ca/about-us/area-profile/planning.
“Process Water and an intake from the North Saskatchewan River are vital to Lamont County’s future,” said Lamont County Reeve, David Diduck. “Having access to Process Water will attract investment for agriculture, industry and related supportive economies, and help increase the quality of life for our residents.”
Investment and partnerships with industry will lead to economic diversification, job creation, new tax revenues and future prosperity for generations to come.
Lamont County received a five-year grant totaling $16.67 million from the Government of Alberta through Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association to construct an intake for raw water to be drawn from the North Saskatchewan River—primarily for industry within Lamont County’s Designated Industrial Zone (DIZ). This funding will enable engineering design and construction of the water intake.
“This is a game changer for Lamont County! I am excited as both the Reeve of Lamont County and as Chair of the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association,” said Diduck. “This project is a key economic driver for our future, and once everything is built and completed, it will be the most significant project Lamont County has ever undertaken.
“Enabling infrastructure, such as the process water line, allows Lamont County to be investment-ready for future industrial and agriculture related businesses. and positions the County for growth well into the future” said Diduck. “The lack of industrial process water in our portion of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland has been a barrier to new entrants and business investment.”
Council is committed to transparency and public engagement. As the project progresses, with the Water Act approval of the water intake, there will be multiple opportunities for public feedback and input.
“Lamont County has the room to grow with its strong ties to the energy sector, access to rail and airports, as well as significant transportation networks,” said Lamont County’s Economic Development Manager, Shane Olson. “We are uniquely situated as a prime destination for industry and value-added agriculture businesses seeking growth and innovation.”
BACKGROUND:
Process Water Intake will continue to drive investment towards one of Canada’s largest industrial zones, (Alberta’s Industrial Heartland). This includes a 582 square kilometre industrial energy cluster with one of Canada’s largest hydrocarbon processing centres, and a high traffic location for chemical, petrochemical, oil, and gas investment.
The site of the Intake Line was generously donated by Inter Pipeline to allow Lamont County the ability to access the river (lamontcounty.ca/news/post/for-immediate-release-land-parcel-donation-from-inter-pipeline-for-water-intake-and-river-access).
- Lamont County Selects Owners Representative in Planning for Process Water Line - lamontcounty.ca/news/;
- Creating jobs in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland (administered by AIHA) - alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=90370171753C4-D085-6B63-0FF6A2589E7DDFFC; and
- Industrial Heartland Designated Industrial Zone - alberta.ca/industrial-heartland-designated-industrial-zone.
Notice of this approval will also be posted at the construction site once this has commenced. The project is anticipated to take upwards of 24-36 months.
Council will now begin the next steps include engineering designs, studies and potential partnerships with industry requiring water line access from the intake.
Lamont County is #ReadyForYou and has #RoomtoGrow. Now is the time to invest in Lamont County and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.
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Media inquiries can be directed to:
Jay Zaal,
Communications Coordinator
780-895-2233 Ext. 222
jay.z@lamontcounty.ca | www.lamontcounty.ca/news
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