Fundy Albert to update citizens on new water supply
Alma to get water from Fundy National Park for second straight summer
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The community of Alma will be getting water from Fundy National Park again this summer as the process of developing a new water source continues.
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Fundy Albert Mayor Bob Rochon said a decision has been made to use the national park as a temporary water source in an attempt to prevent boil-water advisories during tourism season.
Last year, Alma was under a boil order for nearly the entire summer, and had to bring in water from Fundy beginning in late July.
“We’re trying to implement measures to prevent that from happening,” he said, noting the municipality recognizes the added expenses business owners face to buy bottled water for customers during a boil order.
Rochon said the temporary water line is scheduled to be connected in June.
“It’s not as simple as to just put a pipe from the top of the hill in Fundy National Park down to the community,” he said, noting engineers need to use devices to stabilize the pressure as the water travels through the pipes down the hill.
The temporary source will be in addition to the community’s current water supply to provide a boost at a time when the Alma region is flooded with visitors.
The municipality is working on a method of notifying residents which of the two supplies their water is coming from, in the event a boil order is needed. Rochon noted the bulk of businesses in Alma will receive their water from Fundy.
Fundy Albert will need to be able to satisfy the requirements of the Department of Health when it comes to monitoring the water supplies, and communicating potential boil orders with residents.
Rochon said if the summer is dry with minimal rain, it would place an even larger demand on Alma’s water supply. As always, people living and working in the Alma area are asked to conserve water, especially in the summer months.
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A new water source has been found for Alma, and Rochon said the municipality has hired the engineering firm Englobe for the project.
In November, Fundy Albert received more than $12 million from the three levels of government to build two new wells and new water supply infrastructure to reduce turbidity levels and increase water supply to meet the high demand,
The design for the water supply is underway, and there are ongoing consultations with the private landowners before work is done on the water system.
Englobe engineers will be giving an update to residents on the design for the new water supply on April 10, so business owners and property owners can hear the details, voice their concerns, and add input.
“That’s a crucial part of the project is to consult with the community,” Rochon said.
The meeting is being held on April 10 at 7 p.m. at the Alma Activity Centre on School Street.
Englobe did not reply to a request for comment by press time.
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