The Town of Stettler has landed a $3.26 million provincial grant to overhaul two aging sewage lift stations, an investment aimed at keeping the community’s wastewater system reliable for decades to come.
The funding, announced July 16, 2026, comes through the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership program. Town officials say it will help fund the rehabilitation of the lift stations, which were built back in 1976 and are now in urgent need of a complete upgrade.
“The lift stations were originally constructed in 1976 and have undergone minor upgrades and maintenance over the years to ensure they continued operating effectively,” the town said in a release. “While Town staff have worked diligently to maintain the facilities and extend the life of the equipment, the age of the infrastructure has reached a point where a comprehensive rehabilitation is required.”
Despite decades of careful upkeep by local crews, the equipment is simply worn out. Chief Administrative Officer Leann Graham praised the Water/Wastewater Department, led by Director of Operations Melissa Robbins and Foreman Grant McQuay, for stretching the life of the stations well past what many communities could expect.
Construction is expected to start in 2027, after detailed design and planning work wraps up.
The grant was welcomed by Mayor Gord Lawlor, who pointed to the strong partnership between the town and the province. The town also gave a nod to Drumheller-Stettler MLA Nate Horner and Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen for their advocacy in securing the dollars.
Wastewater lift stations play an unglamorous but critical role: they pump sewage from lower to higher elevations so it can flow to the treatment plant. Without them, basements can flood and public health can be put at risk. For a regional hub like Stettler, dependable infrastructure is essential to support both current residents and future growth.
