Federal, provincial and municipal governments commit a combined $7.9 million

Jasper’s post-wildfire rebuild is getting another piece of critical infrastructure.

The federal, provincial and municipal governments have committed $7.9 million to recommission the town’s wastewater lagoon.

Federal Emergency Management and Community Resilience Minister Eleanor Olszewski announced the funding Tuesday in Jasper, bringing Ottawa’s total commitment to the community’s recovery to more than $905 million.

The federal government is contributing more than $3.9 million through the Build Communities Strong Fund, while the Alberta government is providing more than $2.2 million and the Municipality of Jasper is contributing $1.9 million.

The lagoon, which was previously decommissioned, will provide additional wastewater storage during peak periods and when the treatment plant is undergoing maintenance or experiencing operational problems.

For Mayor Richard Ireland, however, the project is about more than simply increasing capacity.

“Jasper’s recent experience over the last number of years has underscored the importance of resilient infrastructure,” Ireland said during Tuesday’s announcement.

The recommissioned lagoon will provide additional capacity during prolonged power outages and extended maintenance periods, while reducing the risk of wastewater impacts to the community and the Athabasca River watershed.

Ireland said the project also reflects an opportunity presented by the wildfire recovery: to not simply restore what existed before the fire, but strengthen the systems the community relies upon.

“As Jasper rebuilds, we have an opportunity to restore what was here, and to strengthen the systems our community relies upon,” he said.

That work will become increasingly important as homes destroyed in the July 2024 wildfire are rebuilt and new housing is created, Ireland said.

“We need the underlying municipal infrastructure capable of supporting that growth safely and reliably.”

Olszewski, who serves as the federal lead for Jasper’s recovery, said the wastewater project is an example of governments working together to support the community’s long-term recovery.

She acknowledged that wastewater infrastructure is not necessarily what visitors notice when they arrive in Jasper, but said it is “fundamentally important” to the community.

The announcement builds on more than $520 million in additional federal recovery funding announced earlier this summer. That funding included support for interim housing, Parks Canada assets, wildfire-risk reduction and long-term sustainability.

Olszewski said the federal government remains committed to Jasper’s recovery.

“We will be here for the people of Jasper for as long as it takes to complete the rebuild,” she said.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com