Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

Okotoks

Okotoks businesses eligible to receive thousands in water grants

Okotoks businesses eligible to receive thousands in water grants

The Town of Okotoks’ Water Smart Business Grant program is back for its second year and gives the business sector a chance to apply for thousands of dollars in grant money for implementing projects that conserve water.  Businesses and institutions can apply to receive funding of up to $10,000 for each eligible project. “It’s a win-win situation — the Town is supporting local businesses through covering the investment costs, while businesses will ultimately see savings on their utility bills from the water they save in the long-term,” said Mayor Tanya Thorn. “This grant provides a substantial incentive and plenty of flexibility that makes it worthwhile applying for.” 

Long-awaited water pipeline for Okotoks, Foothills County receives nearly $16M from province

Long-awaited water pipeline for Okotoks, Foothills County receives nearly $16M from province

A project that will help the town of Okotoks and Foothills County secure a long-term water supply will receive a provincial grant of $15.9 million, Alberta Minister of Transportation Prasad Panda announced Wednesday. The project, a water pipeline that will feed from where the Highwood River meets the Bow River into water treatment facilities in Okotoks and Foothills County, will receive the funding through Alberta's Water For Life program. "It's still a little surreal that we're here. I always knew we would get here, but we've had lots of stops and starts," said Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn, who was elected to the top job last November but sat on town council for the previous eight years.

Developers' ability to build in Okotoks to end without water solution, town warns

Developers' ability to build in Okotoks to end without water solution, town warns

Located on the edge of southern Alberta's foothills and close to Calgary, the community of Okotoks has been a popular destination for people seeking a small-town feel not far from the big city. But the town, located roughly 47 kilometres south of Calgary, now estimates it only has nine years of development left before continued issues around getting a new water source force developers to put down their shovels.

Boil water advisory issued for northern parts of Okotoks, Alta.

Boil water advisory issued for northern parts of Okotoks, Alta.

People living in Okotoks, a town of 30,000 just south of Calgary, are being told to stop watering their lawns and gardens, while residents in the northern part of the community are being advised to boil their drinking water because of low supply in the reservoirs. The boil water advisory from Alberta Health Services and Alberta Environment and Parks affects several neighbourhoods: D'Arcy Ranch, Crystal Shores, Crystal Green, Air Ranch, Suntree and some parts of Crystal Ridge and Sandstone.

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