Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission
Our History
The 1970’s saw rapid growth in Edmonton and the surrounding municipalities. This growth taxed existing sewage management systems to an extent that that the Province felt that a review of the system and treatment facilities was needed. In 1977 the Edmonton Regional Utilities Study was undertaken. The study recommended centralizing sewage treatment instead of expanding the existing individual community facilities.
The Province elected to implement a regional wastewater treatment plant and transmission system to support the municipalities surrounding Edmonton. With this direction established, design and construction of the plant and trunk sewers commenced in 1980. Concurrent with the construction of this key facility the Province of Alberta and representatives from the original participating municipalities formed a Task Force in which they negotiated the structure, financial terms and regulations for the Capital Region Sewage Commission.
In May 1985 a Provincial Regulation was passed formally empowering the Capital Region Sewage Commission to provide sewage transmission and treatment services to 10 municipalities in the Region. By the end of 1985, the communities of Morinville and Gibbons joined the Commission. Original infrastructure was granted to the ACRWC by 90% no cost capital with 10% charged to members (debenture financed).
In 2000, the name of the Commission was changed to the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission (ACRWC).
In 2002 the Town of Bon Accord joined bringing the membership to the current complement of 13.
Our Vision:
The Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission is a leader in water reclamation.
Our Mission:
The Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission provides responsible transmission and treatment for member municipalities.
Certificates and Authorizations
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) permit holder, Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation and ISO 14001:2004 Certified
ACRWC Board
Member municipal Councils appoint one member of their Council to the Board of the Commission for a specified term. The Commission strongly encourages the municipal councils to appoint their member for a four-year term.
There are two distinct roles and responsibilities for Directors:
• To represent their municipality by communicating to the Board on wastewater issues affecting their community. In conjunction with this it is also expected that the Director will explain Board decisions and policies to their councils.
• To act as a corporate director of the Commission whose duty is to consider issues and make decisions that are in the best interest of the Commission. This duty arises even if the position which is in the best interest of the Commission may not be in the best interest or be supported by their municipal Council.
The Board may from time to time create committees to address matters it feels require more attention than can be provided by the entire Board. Members are assigned to committees on a voluntary basis. Committee Charters are approved by the Board to clarify the mandate and authority of each Committee.