(File photo/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

North Battleford seeks $36.6M federal grant for major water upgrades

Mar 25, 2025 | 5:00 PM

City council voted Monday to apply for $36.6 million in federal funding to upgrade North Battleford’s aging water infrastructure, focusing on critical areas that serve downtown, the west side, and major residential and industrial corridors.

The funding, sought under the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), would cover 50 per cent of the costs, with the city responsible for the remaining $18.3 million.

The project includes constructing new water transmission lines, expanding the 114 Street reservoir, and expanding the Actiflo hydrotreater system at the F.E. Holliday Water Treatment Plant.

Stewart Schafer, director of city operations, said a key part of the plan is a new water line from the River Valley Cantre to 92 Street.

“This would be a brand-new transmission line. We could also take water off that transmission line for residential use,” he noted.

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“We have one line that comes from the bottom of the river valley and goes up towards the city centre there, following the Highway 4 bypass. If that line goes down at that section, we cannot use water treatment.”

(City of North Battleford)

Another upgrade involves extending a second water line from River Valley along Railway Avenue to 114 Street.

“We have a big transmission line that goes all the way up to Railway Avenue, so we’re just gonna attach that and bring it all the way up to 114 Street,” Schafer said.

The project will also expand the 114 Street reservoir to 2.5 million cubic metres, allowing for the decommissioning of the aging water tower. While the tower will no longer store water, it will remain standing as a community landmark.

The Humane Society building on that same street is also set for demolition, as the organization is expected to have a new facility by the time construction begins.

Schafer believes the upgrades will support North Battleford’s growing population, even if it reaches 20,000 people.

(City of North Battleford)

(City of North Battleford)

Election uncertainty could delay funding

With Canada’s 45th general election underway, council and administration remain cautious about the funding process.

“I know we can apply for it. I know we fit the parameters of it, and we have a pretty good chance if that program is maintained,” said city Manager Randy Patrick.

“I can’t say that they [the federal government] can guarantee it, but we’ve done everything we can to get it.”

(City of North Battleford)

Candace Toma, public and intergovernmental relations coordinator, said CHIF is the only available funding stream for this type of project.

“We’ve had small federal government grants in the last year that have taken eight, nine months passed when they were supposed to have been awarded, so it really is a bit of a guessing here,” she said.

If approved, the upgrades would primarily improve water system reliability and delay the need for a new $120-million water plant for decades.

“We’ will be saving a lot of money for the residents and at the same time, we’re going to reduce the possibility that there’s water breaks,” Patrick said.

The city must submit its funding application by March 31, 2025. If successful, provincial contributions could further reduce North Battleford’s financial burden.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com