Sustainable water for Camrose
From left, manager of engineering services for the City of Camrose Jeremy Enarson and Rotarian Shirley Bergsma. Enarson made a presentation to the Camrose Rotary Club about the water systems of Camrose and the plans that are underway to ensure the City has access to sustainable and healthy water in the long run.
By Adan Shaikh
City of Camrose manager of engineering services, Jeremy Enarson shared an informative presentation, on March 10, with the Camrose Rotary Club members on the city’s water system, to commemorate World Water Day.
March 22 is observed globally as World Water Day, and in the Rotary International calendar, March is recognized as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month. In his presentation, Enarson shared about the City’s water system, ongoing challenges and long-term sustainability plans on which the City of Camrose is presently working.
“We receive our water from Driedmeat Lake, which is part of the Battle River water system. We have one station down at the lake, we pump the water to the City of Camrose. We have a water treatment plant that is located just at the south end of the City, and after water treatment, it gets pushed out to a number of water reservoirs and then there are pump stations that pressurize the system and provide the water to the homes,” he explained.
He shared that the City manages an extensive distribution system, which consists of 170 kilometres of pipes around Camrose, that provide water to approximately 7,000 residents, businesses and customers around the City.
Camrose relies entirely on Driedmeat Lake for its water supply. While the City holds licences allowing it to withdraw water, Enarson said the system depends on natural conditions.
“The Battle River is a very limited water source. It meets our needs now, but there are lots of issues that relate to that. Battle River which feeds into Driedmeat Lake is what is known as a prairie fed river. Our headwaters are not up in the glaciers or in the mountains. Everything that goes into the lake depends on how much run-off we have from the melt of the snow as well as any major rainfall events that help fill the lake and maintain it through the summer months,” he shared.
According to Enarson, falling lake levels in recent years have already led to mandatory water restrictions in Camrose. Residents can expect more restrictions in 2026, as another hot summer with limited rainfall is anticipated. He also highlighted conservation efforts such as the City’s Toilet Rebate Program, which encourages residents to replace older high volume toilets with more efficient models.
The City is also exploring long-term solutions to secure a second water source. “We have been working with the Capital Region Southwest Water Services Commission and we have been looking into tying into an original water system,” Enarson said. “This particular system is based out of Leduc, so the option that we are looking at right now is a large diameter water pipe that would go from Leduc across Highway 21 and down towards Camrose. If we ever receive that, it will eliminate the City’s reliance on Battle River and Driedmeat Lake as the commission receives its water from the North Saskatchewan River.”
However, the cost remains a major challenge, with initial estimates projecting a cost of approximately $200 million. “This is something much larger than what the City can handle on its own. We are investigating both federal and provincial grant opportunities and we continue to engage with the commission who are taking the lead on a feasibility study right now.”
Enarson also shared updates on infrastructure monitoring and upgrades. Last fall, the City completed a SmartBall assessment, where a sensor covered ball was sent through the water system to collect data.
The assessment found no leaks or problems at the time. The City plans to repeat the process every five to 10 years. Upgrades have also been completed around the City’s water reservoirs, with additional work planned this year on the south reservoir.
Another emerging issue municipalities across Canada are facing is lead in drinking water. Enarson said Camrose recently approved a lead management policy that outlines how the City will monitor and address the issue.
He noted the City currently has relatively low levels of lead, with fewer than 100 homes affected. Enarson closed by outlining the City’s broader goals for the water system.
“We want to ensure that we are providing the highest quality of water that’s reliable and that’s meeting the needs of our citizens. We also want to be proactive on how we are managing our assets and, finally, we want to ensure that we are delivering our water in a sustainable manner,” said Enarson.
World Water Day serves as a reminder of the indispensable role water plays in sustaining life and health in communities, and the need to appreciate those who work behind the scenes to keep this vital resource available for Camrosians.
By Adan Shaikh
City of Camrose manager of engineering services, Jeremy Enarson shared an informative presentation, on March 10, with the Camrose Rotary Club members on the city’s water system, to commemorate World Water Day.
March 22 is observed globally as World Water Day, and in the Rotary International calendar, March is recognized as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month. In his presentation, Enarson shared about the City’s water system, ongoing challenges and long-term sustainability plans on which the City of Camrose is presently working.
“We receive our water from Driedmeat Lake, which is part of the Battle River water system. We have one station down at the lake, we pump the water to the City of Camrose. We have a water treatment plant that is located just at the south end of the City, and after water treatment, it gets pushed out to a number of water reservoirs and then there are pump stations that pressurize the system and provide the water to the homes,” he explained.
He shared that the City manages an extensive distribution system, which consists of 170 kilometres of pipes around Camrose, that provide water to approximately 7,000 residents, businesses and customers around the City.
Camrose relies entirely on Driedmeat Lake for its water supply. While the City holds licences allowing it to withdraw water, Enarson said the system depends on natural conditions.
“The Battle River is a very limited water source. It meets our needs now, but there are lots of issues that relate to that. Battle River which feeds into Driedmeat Lake is what is known as a prairie fed river. Our headwaters are not up in the glaciers or in the mountains. Everything that goes into the lake depends on how much run-off we have from the melt of the snow as well as any major rainfall events that help fill the lake and maintain it through the summer months,” he shared.
According to Enarson, falling lake levels in recent years have already led to mandatory water restrictions in Camrose. Residents can expect more restrictions in 2026, as another hot summer with limited rainfall is anticipated. He also highlighted conservation efforts such as the City’s Toilet Rebate Program, which encourages residents to replace older high volume toilets with more efficient models.
The City is also exploring long-term solutions to secure a second water source. “We have been working with the Capital Region Southwest Water Services Commission and we have been looking into tying into an original water system,” Enarson said. “This particular system is based out of Leduc, so the option that we are looking at right now is a large diameter water pipe that would go from Leduc across Highway 21 and down towards Camrose. If we ever receive that, it will eliminate the City’s reliance on Battle River and Driedmeat Lake as the commission receives its water from the North Saskatchewan River.”
However, the cost remains a major challenge, with initial estimates projecting a cost of approximately $200 million. “This is something much larger than what the City can handle on its own. We are investigating both federal and provincial grant opportunities and we continue to engage with the commission who are taking the lead on a feasibility study right now.”
Enarson also shared updates on infrastructure monitoring and upgrades. Last fall, the City completed a SmartBall assessment, where a sensor covered ball was sent through the water system to collect data.
The assessment found no leaks or problems at the time. The City plans to repeat the process every five to 10 years. Upgrades have also been completed around the City’s water reservoirs, with additional work planned this year on the south reservoir.
Another emerging issue municipalities across Canada are facing is lead in drinking water. Enarson said Camrose recently approved a lead management policy that outlines how the City will monitor and address the issue.
He noted the City currently has relatively low levels of lead, with fewer than 100 homes affected. Enarson closed by outlining the City’s broader goals for the water system.
“We want to ensure that we are providing the highest quality of water that’s reliable and that’s meeting the needs of our citizens. We also want to be proactive on how we are managing our assets and, finally, we want to ensure that we are delivering our water in a sustainable manner,” said Enarson.
World Water Day serves as a reminder of the indispensable role water plays in sustaining life and health in communities, and the need to appreciate those who work behind the scenes to keep this vital resource available for Camrosians.
