Sustainable Water Project

Hi Lee,  

Thanks for reaching out. Let's work through them one by one.  

With all this new housing going up just curious if throughput has been increased to accommodate these new developments and if infrastructure has been increased to accommodate.  

The Town of Sylvan Lake is making extensive improvements and upgrades to our water infrastructure. These upgrades make sure that all new development and existing homes will have adequate water supply and pressure. You can check out the projects on the Sustainable Water Project page to learn about some of the projects. 

Is water piping sufficient enough to handle increased loads and the pressure required to maintain it? I also know that moving uphill from the pump station is also an issue (I am in Ryders) and has pressure been increased to accommodate this and the new developments in the Vistas? 

Managing water infrastructure is not as simple as just increasing pressure. Our water system must maintain even pressure while preventing highs and lows that could damage our system. We monitor and adjust in real-time using Scada systems. We also plan carefully for future development by assessing our water system and where we need to improve. Forecasting future needs is part of our Sustainable Water Project, including the Water Master Plan & Studies scheduled for 2026. To get an idea of how we plan for the future, you can check out our 2020 Water Master Plan. This will give you a great idea of what we are working on now and how we plan for future development. 

How our water system regulates pressure 

Maintaining pressure is not straightforward. We use many different tools and techniques to help us maintain pressure in our water supply. Here are some of the tools that we us: 

• Reservoirs on high ground: Provide a natural source of pressure through gravity and pumping, maintaining stable pressure 
• Pressure reducing valves (PRVs): Regulate and reduce excessive pressure in specific parts of the system 
• Booster pump station: Provides water to specific areas of the water system 
• Pressure zones: Divide the distribution network into zones with separate pressure control for efficiency 
• Monitoring: Real-time pressure monitoring with our SCADA systems allows for quick adjustments to ensure consistent water pressure 

Combining these allows us to keep water pressure within a safe, functional range for all users.  

There are many things that can cause low pressure at a home. For help with any issues at your own address, please reach out to the Environmental Services Department directly. You can do this by filling out our Contact Us form at sylvanlake.ca/contact and selecting Water and sewer. You can also call 403 887 2800. 

Thanks again for taking the time to ask these really great questions. Please feel free to reach out again and submit another question if there's anything you'd like to clarify. 

Sincerely,
The Town of Sylvan Lake

Hi Randy,  

Thank you for reaching out. Here is the status of our grant applications so far: 

We were unsuccessful in receiving grant funding from: 

• Local Growth and Sustainability Grant (LGSG). We’ll be re-applying in 2025 
• Drought and Flood Protection Program (DFPP). We’ll be re-applying in 2025 

We’re still waiting for confirmation from: 

• Alberta Municipal Water and Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) 

We wish that we had been more successful in our applications. But we will not give up. The town will continue to apply for funding in the future. Thank you for following up. We appreciate that you took time out of your day to talk with us.  

Sincerely,
The Town of Sylvan Lake 

Hi Link,

Thanks for the great question. It will take us some time to pull together the information. We'll likely have a response next week. Thanks for your patience as we work to juggle priorities.   

Thank you,
Town of Sylvan Lake

May 14, 1995 Update 

Hello BA,

Let’s work through your questions one by one.

1. We have been asked for awhile now to conserve water and we have but how much do we really have?

Water conservation has been in place since 1995 and does not mean we are running out of water. It is a bit confusing to have water restrictions last year during water conservation, but they are not the same thing. Remember, water conservation is not a water restriction (page 16 - 19), conservation only asks that you don't waste water for all the reasons outlined in the brochure. If you haven't already, please read through the Your Water brochure. This project also explains our plans to make sure we have enough water for development, as does page 22 - 25 of the brochure linked above.

The amount of water we have is closely monitored everyday. Level indicators in each well measure levels in each aquifer pocket. This indicator is connected to a SCADA system which sends alarms 24 hours a day if levels fall too low. We also physically monitor once a week in town using a 100 metre long measuring tape with a sensor on the end. When we measure, it shows the level from ground level to water surface. We also measure by hand Some well are measured this way once a month as per each well’s water license issued Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.

2. How concerned should we be with the water supply?

Water is, and always has been a limited resource worldwide. All Albertans should be concerned and active in advocating for all levels of government to protect our water supply. This means that every Albertan should take action personally to conserve and advocate. This is exactly what your questions are doing, and we appreciate that you care about our community.

That said, our region is inside the Red Deer River Basin. As of May 12, our region is classed at Drought Stage 1, or Abnormally Dry.

Here’s a statement from page 60 of the Government of Alberta’s water facts brochure:

5.3 Conservation, Efficiency, and Productivity

Many Albertans believe this province has an abundant supply of freshwater, but water scarcity is already a reality in southern Alberta. During certain times of the year, rivers and streams may not be able to supply the quantities of water demanded by the region's economy and population. There is already a need to share our water among current and future users. We must consider not only the growing demand for our water, but also factors such as pollution and drought, which can affect the amount and quality of water available for use. Warmer winters and less precipitation may impact our future water supply, and we need to be prepared to cope with longer, more extended periods of water shortage, and adopt measures that maximize water use. Rain and snow patterns are unpredictable, and building more infrastructure will not solve the problem if no water is available.

Not only do we need to use our existing supplies wisely, we must also consider costs. It costs money to treat, transport, and dispose of water, as well as maintain water infrastructure. These economic costs often make up the price that agricultural, industrial, and municipal users pay for water services. However, this price does not include the environmental costs associated with withdrawing the water.

In addition to mechanisms put in place by the Government of Alberta to manage and conserve water, individual water users have the capacity to and an interest in protecting Alberta's water supply. In these days of increasing water scarcity, it is more important than ever for Albertans to conserve water, and use it as efficiently, and productively as possible.

Water conservation:

• Any beneficial reduction in water use, loss, or waste.
• Water management practices that improve the use of water resources to benefit people or the environment.

3. Should we be looking at a population freeze?

We are not running out of water for development. “We can always count on our aquifers for stable water supply as long as we do not overuse it by pumping too much water,” too quickly, and our weather patterns remain stable. (Page 13, Your Water Brochure).

4. How accurate are your predictions for water usage in the town?

The 2020 Water Master Plan outlined projected needs for the future. No population growth forecasting is perfect, but we are confident. We have estimated a projected growth rate at 3.2%, which is higher than the recommended provincial average growth rate of 2.5%. We are confident in these higher projections, and they are used in the 2020 Water Master Plan. We are starting the planning groundwork to update the Water Master Plan in 2026. This will ensure that projections are updated and accurate for current conditions.

5. Do we have a back up plan if the rains don't come?

Yes, we are starting the planning groundwork to create the first Environmental Master Plan in 2026. This includes planning in case of drought. This is a plan to preserve the local air, water, and soil. Also planning for extreme weather like flooding, extreme wind, and drought events. Once completed, the information learned will be used to build the Water Master Plan.



We just want to thank you for these questions, and for advocating to protect our water supply. If after you read these answers, the brochure, and the project page, and have more questions, please ask here. We’d be happy to answer any further questions. https://engage.sylvanlake.ca/your-water

Sincerely,
The Town of Sylvan Lake

Hello BA,

This is a great question. We are putting together a web update as part of the response, but it will take us a bit to create. Once complete, we''ll update your answer here, but you won't get an email notification so please check back.

Thank you for your patience,
The Town of Sylvan Lake

Hi Royle,

Thanks for reaching out; that is a great question. The taps in the lakeshore washroom are water-saving. Sensor taps reduce water usage anywhere from 30% to 60% compared to traditional taps. Water is saved by the automatic shut-off, reduced flow rates, and the way people tend to use the taps. The toilets are also low flow.

The outdoor showers also have water-saving timer buttons. The buttons automatically shut off and save a lot of water.

All the water in Sylvan Lake’s water system comes from groundwater. Groundwater comes from aquifers, and surface water comes from water bodies such as lakes and rivers. Please read pages 4 – 5 of the Your Water brochure to learn about groundwater and surface water.

Sincerely,
The Town of Sylvan Lake

Water-saving sensor taps in the lakefront washrooms

 

Water-saving push button showers with automatic shut-off

 

May 12, 1995 Update

Hello thirstyone,  

Thanks for reaching out! Water conservation has been in place since 1995 and does not mean we are running out of water for development. It is a bit confusing to have water restrictions last year during water conservation, but they are not the same thing. Remember, water conservation is not a water restriction (page 16 - 19), conservation only asks that you don't waste water for all the reasons outlined in the brochure. Please read through the Your Water brochure here. This project also explains our plans to make sure we have enough water for development, as does page 22 - 25 of the brochure linked above.

After you read the brochure and the project page, if you have more questions, please ask again in the Ask & Answered section.

Sincerely,
The Town of Sylvan Lake

Hello Thirstyone,

This is a great question. We are putting together a web update as part of the response, but it will take us a bit to create. Once complete, we''ll update your answer here, but you won't get an email notification so please check back.

Thank you for your patience,
The Town of Sylvan Lake