Quad Regional Water Partnership

See how our communities are working together to ensure we all have good water. To stay informed on this process and how it affects you, plan to attend the Open Houses.


Provincial regulators are providing support for the development of regional water systems treatment centers through the Alberta “Water for Life” initiative. The aim is to develop “Regional Providers” which will be sustainable in terms of an adequate raw water source, modern water treatment systems and shared maintenance and operations given a larger population base.
In the fall of 2008 the Towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley, along with the Village of Longview and the Municipal District of Foothills # 31 formed the “Quad Regional Water Partnership” (QRWP).
The purpose of the QRWP is to investigate the feasibility of securing and implementing a sustainable and cost-effective potable water system for the region. The QRWP water initiative aligns with the long term water developments of the Calgary Regional Partnership and therefore has it's support.
The QRWP anticipates the key benefits of partnering will include:

• Provision of a safe and secure potable water supply that meets the needs of current and future generations of Albertans in this region.
• Added value in the treatment and delivery of potable water to the partnership members.
• Cost sharing of existing and future infrastructure, experienced operators, energy consumption, materials and supplies.

Urban Systems Ltd. and Brownlee LLP were engaged to outline and assess a variety of governance models that could be used to implement the partnership. The QRWP determined that the creation of a Corporation owned by the member municipalities was best suited to facilitate the treatment and delivery of potable water.
The next steps include:

• Grant application to Alberta Municipal Affairs to provide funding assistance toward the cost in creating a utility corporation.
• Grant application to Alberta Municipal Affairs to provide funding assistance toward the cost of creating an interim service agreement between the Towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley. This will allow the Towns to share their existing water resources prior to the creation of the utility corporation.
• Grant application to the Alberta Water for Life program to provide funding assistance toward the cost of physically connecting the water systems of the Towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley.
• Public engagement through open houses.

The member municipalities recognize that the continued health and prosperity of the region is dependent upon a sustainable supply of potable water and wastewater collection. The demand for high quality water and a reliable water supply is a key priority within today's municipal sector. With water quality standards ever increasing, the construction, operation and maintenance cost of water treatment facilities pose large burdens to smaller municipalities. Through the QRWP, the member municipalities will attain a higher level of municipal services while continuing to enjoy their independence and uniqueness.