After Lacombe County asked the Town of Blackfalds to explore other options for their Northwest Area Master Storm Water Management Plan, the Town says its best to stick to their initial proposal.

With ideas of an interbasin water transfer proposed by the County, where a pump would be used to send their storm water south to the Blindman River at an estimated cost of just under $13 million, Mayor Melodie Stol says it just not the right decision.

Sending their treated storm water through Lacombe Lake, is what she believes to be the best scenario.

“The perspective of the Town of Blackfalds is pursuing an interbasin water transfer is not in the best interest of Blackfalds, it’s not in the best interest of the watershed , it’s not in the best interest of even all down-stream users in this watershed.”

“Working within the original concept that we presented is probably the best course of action.”

Since plans for the project were announced in June, there has been some push-back from Lacombe Lake-goers regarding the health of the Lake, but Stol ensures there is nothing to worry about.

“We recognize there’s still work needing to be done. We have to work with Alberta Environment and Parks to meet and address any concerns that the public have brought back. We have to work with the public and show them that when they have a concern that they actually get the opportunity to understand what steps are being taken to address that concern.”

Stol added at the end of the day, as long as Blackfalds meets all the project requirements, it’ll be Alberta Environment and Parks who make the final decision.