Utility begins flood-proofing project at Edmonton water-treatment plants
Edmonton's major utility provider is working to protect its water-treatment plants from flooding to ensure Albertans have clean drinking water during extreme weather.
Epcor says a major flood in Edmonton such as the disaster that destroyed 50 buildings, saw 700 homes submerged and displaced 2,000 people as it enveloped the city's North Saskatchewan river valley neighbourhoods in 1915, could leave a third of the province without clean drinking water.
It's proactively installing flood barriers at its Rossdale and E.L. Smith water-treatment plants.
The project is expected to take four years to complete.
More than 30 Indigenous groups have traditional connections to the Rossdale site.
Jed Johns of Epcor said ongoing consultations with the groups are taking place to ensure burial sites in the area are protected.
"During the ground disturbance or any excavations at Epcor, they will all be monitored by Indigenous monitors and have those elders and traditional knowledge-holders available to advise on proper protocol, ceremonies and next steps that need to be done if there is any other find," Johns said on Thursday.
Epcor says there are emergency plans in place for any severe flooding that may occur before the barriers are complete.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates: Gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO still at large
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson died in a dawn ambush Wednesday in New York City. The gunman is still at large and a manhunt is underway. Here's the latest.
AI modelling predicts these foods will be hit hardest by inflation next year
The new year won’t bring a resolution to rising food costs, according to a new report that predicts prices to rise as much as five per cent in 2025.
Congo government says it's 'on alert' over mystery flu-like disease that killed dozens
Congo’s health minister said Thursday the government is on alert over a mystery flu-like disease that in recent weeks killed dozens of people.
'Kids are scared': Random attacks have residents of small-city N.L. shaken
Mount Pearl, near St. John's, has been the scene for three random attacks in November. Police have arrested and charged seven youth.
U.S. man wanted for military desertion turns himself in at Buffalo border
A man wanted for deserting the U.S. military 16 years ago was arrested at the border in Buffalo, N.Y. earlier this week.
Ready to light up your home for Christmas? Here are some safety tips
The magic of the holidays wouldn't be complete for many people without Christmas lights, but there are some important tips to know before you set up your ladder.
DEVELOPING Words carved into bullet casings, police sources say amid search for gunman in shooting of U.S. CEO
Investigators are searching for clues that could help them identify the masked gunman who killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies on a Manhattan sidewalk, then disappeared into Central Park.
George Russell accuses Max Verstappen of bullying and threatening behaviour as F1 feud deepens
Mercedes driver George Russell has accused Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen of bullying and threatening behaviour as a dispute between the two at last week's race in Qatar deepened Thursday.
'At the dawn of a third nuclear age,' senior U.K. commander warns
The head of Britain’s armed forces has warned that the world stands at the cusp of a 'third nuclear age,' defined by multiple simultaneous challenges and weakened safeguards that kept previous threats in check.