Industrial Heartland Process Water Initiative
Sturgeon County is advancing a project to build a water intake facility that will transport process water from North Saskatchewan River to some industry members in the Alberta Industrial Heartland.
Expected Project Impact
Positive Economic Outcomes
Growing the County’s portion of the Alberta Industrial Heartland. Industries rely on water access to support their operations; currently, the Heartland’s water supply is limited. Industrial development means the County can collect new tax revenue to help pay for resident programs and services, diversify the economy, and support future jobs creation.
Positive Community and Environmental Outcomes
Safeguarding the County’s resident drinking water supply (potable water). Moving industry away from using potable water in their processes reserves more of the community’s water system for resident consumption, especially during times of drought.
The Project
Sturgeon County is committed to creating world-class opportunities for energy and business investment, with the ongoing development of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland (AIH) playing a key role in achieving this vision.
Within the AIH, exists provincially appointed ‘Designated Industrial Zones.’ These areas make it easier for industry to set up and grow because permitting and regulatory paperwork are already streamlined with many of the needed approvals already in place. This makes development faster while supporting both the economy and the environment.
Despite a decade of rising industrial demand, no new water intakes have been developed in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, making the establishment of reliable water access a critical factor for enabling future growth and investment in the region.
Sturgeon County has been identified as a site within the DIZ for a new water intake, which will provide non-potable, untreated water to AIH industries.
Funding
The Process Water Initiative is fully funded through a project specific grant of over $16 million from the Government of Alberta (facilitated by the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association).
This grant is anticipated to cover all financial requirements needed to bring the project from initial concept phase through to completion of construction.
Project Milestones
- Identification, negotiation, exploration of industry partnership opportunities, and purchase of land for infrastructure placement,
- Procurement and execution of detailed engineering design work to define technical specifications and prepare for regulatory submissions and construction planning,
- Continuation of permitting to finalize necessary environmental and construction approvals, and
- Launch of a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure transparent public information sharing with stakeholders.
- Submission and review of applications under the Alberta Water Act to obtain authorization for water intake and usage.
- Finalization of offtake agreements with industrial customers who will utilize the processed water.
Finalize the Utility Rate Model, execute industrial offtake agreements, and initiate construction activities for Council consideration and approval.
Public Information Sharing and Engagement
Council directed Administration to initiate “Phase One” of the Industrial Heartland Process Water Intake Initiative, including:
- the acquisition of all land required for the project in accordance with the selection criteria as outlined in item 6.9 of the July 15, 2025 Council Meeting Agenda;
- the procurement of engineering design work necessary to advance the project to Phase 2 in support of a design-build construction model, and
- the execution of the associated stakeholder Communications Plan.
All associated costs will be covered through the Funding Agreement in place between Sturgeon County and the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association.
Council received the Industrial Heartland Utility Provision Strategic Initiative Update as information. Sturgeon County has begun the process of researching and evaluating the viability of creating a water intake facility in the Industrial Heartland.
Secure an Alberta Industrial Heartland Process Water Intake to ensure future industry has the critical infrastructure needed to prosper.
Read more: Sturgeon County's Corporate Business Plan (2025 - 2028)
