A City of Edmonton committee is set to look at a series of options being considered for the future use of the Great Divide Waterfall, on the High Level Bridge.

The Community Services Committee will look at a number of options for converting the waterfall to use other sources of water, and for managing its infrastructure.

The report from City officials outlines three options:

  • Limiting use of the existing system – using de-chlorinated water, but installing a back-flow prevention valve and de-chlorination equipment (estimated cost $1.1 million)
  • Using river water with existing piping – utilizing portable pumps to use river water in the waterfall, annually flushing the system (estimated cost of $1.9 million)
  • Replacing existing piping, using portable pumps – replacing aging cast iron piping with stainless steel (estimated cost $2.6 million)

The waterfall was designed by artist Peter Lewis, and was installed on the High Level Bridge in 1980 to mark Alberta’s 75th anniversary – the waterfall released tap water into the North Saskatchewan River, at a rate of 50,000 litres per minute.

It was operated during holiday weekends in the summer until 2005, when it was shut down after consultation with Environment Canada.

The use of tap water in the waterfall introduced chlorine into the river, and environmental legislation required the use of the waterfall stop until any environmental risks could be lessened.

According to the city, officials have been working with EPCOR, along with the provincial and federal governments since 2005 to find and reduce chlorination sources into the river.

In addition to the types of water used in the waterfall, the report outlines other variables the waterfall faces, including corrosion of the existing pipes – administration said the thickness of the pipes had reduced from 2 percent to 57 percent in certain parts of the waterfall.

Based on that information, it’s estimated the piping could fail within ten years, with an estimated cost to replace them with stainless steel at $1.05 million.

The Community Services Committee will look at the report Monday, April 7.