Wetaskiwin County is grappling with widespread flooding after heavy weekend rainfall pushed several municipal wastewater systems to the brink, prompting officials to ask residents to cut back on water use. Environment Canada issued a yellow rainfall warning as 75 to 150 millimetres of rain fell across the region from June 20-22, 2026, overwhelming stormwater infrastructure and leaving roads underwater.
The County of Wetaskiwin is now urging anyone connected to its wastewater systems to delay laundry, dishwasher loads, and other non-essential water use. The advisory affects hamlets such as Alder Flats, Falun, Gwynne, and Mulhurst Bay, along with several summer villages around Pigeon Lake.
County Reeve Josh Bishop says the concern is not drinking water quality, but sewer capacity. “The problem isn’t potable water. The problem is the capacity of the sewer system,” Bishop explained. “Without restrictions, there is a possibility the County will have to do an early discharge or that the sewer system would overflow.” The restrictions will stay in place until water levels recede.
Mulhurst Bay has been hit especially hard. The local lift station is over capacity, and the Mulhurst Bay Fire Department is asking residents to check cabins and homes. Boat owners are being told to inspect docks and watercraft, as some are now submerged.
Multiple roads are closed across the county due to water accumulation and washouts, including Battle Lake Trail, Range Road 15A, and Range Road 11. The bridge on Range Road 261 is also closed due to scheduled construction that began June 22. The Pigeon Lake Golf Course is also flooded and closed until further notice. Across the region, this June is on track to be one of the rainiest on record, with Edmonton already recording 189.9 millimetres as of June 21—close to the 1914 record of 216.5 millimetres. Residents are reminded to never drive through flooded areas and to report road issues to the county.
