After years of planning and waiting, the village of Gadsby and its residents should have a completed sewer system by November.
Village administrator Carla Tuck said that construction on the system began in early September after the contract was awarded to Ernie Gendre.
“This has been in the works with the entire community for a few years already,” she said.
A public meeting was held at the village bank building on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 20, to update the community on the current situation.
The sewer is being installed as a requirement of Alberta Environment, but Tuck said that capital grants from the province will completely cover the cost of its construction.
“We’re receiving government grants to put it in up to all the residents’ property lines,” she said, adding that the process of applying for grant money over multiple years was responsible for the delay in construction.
“We’ve been saving up our grants for several years,” said Fred Entwisle, who has served on the village council for more than a decade.
He added that the project has been completed in stages, starting with the introduction of water services, followed by the construction of the sewage lagoon and lift station.
Entwisle said the cost of the sewer system was estimated at around $425,000.
Tuck said the response to the public meeting was positive, adding, “Just about all of the landowners were present.”
“People seem to have accepted what we’re offering fairly well,” added Entwisle.
The village’s landowners, who currently rely on septic tanks, will each be responsible for making the connections on their own property.
Tuck estimated that around 50 people currently make their home in Gadsby.
According to Tuck, Gendre has indicated that construction should be complete by the end of November.