News

Bow River Situation

Sunday, October 22, 2023

UPDATE #3 - Situation Resolved

Rocky View County has been closely monitoring the situation in the neighbouring Town of Cochrane regarding the recent water incident. We are providing this final update to address any lingering concerns and to inform our residents that the situation has now been resolved. 

• Water Quality: We wish to reassure our residents that there has been no negative impact on the water quality for Rocky View County water systems. Our continuous monitoring and collaboration with regional partners have ensured the safety and quality of our water supply.  
   
• Repair Work: The water break in Cochrane has been isolated, and repair crews have been working diligently. The repair process is progressing well, with no expected adverse impact on either Cochrane or Rocky View County residents. 
   
• Support Extended: In line with our mutual aid agreements, Rocky View County assisted the Town of Cochrane during this time. We would like to thank everyone who supported our neighbours, including the community of Harmony for water hauling efforts. 

Should you have further inquiries or concerns, feel free to visit www.cochrane.ca or contact the Cochrane Incident Call Centre at 403-851-7719, available from 8am to 8pm. 

We appreciate the understanding and patience shown by our residents throughout this response. The resolution of this situation underscores the importance of regional collaboration and the commitment we have towards ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. 

Thank you for your continued trust and support. 

UPDATE #2

We wish to provide an updated statement regarding drinking water quality in the aftermath of the recent incident at the Town of Cochrane. 

Here are the latest findings and actions from a water treatment and operations perspective: 

1. Continuous Monitoring: Rocky View County has been collaborating with regional partners to vigilantly observe the Bow River water quality. Presently, there's no change in water quality downstream of the Town of Cochrane. 
2. Our Water Intakes: 
   1. The Cochrane Lakes Community intake, located upstream of Cochrane, remains unaffected by the incident. 
   2. The intake at Bearspaw, which serves the Watermark/Lynx Ridge communities, would be impacted by any shifts in raw water quality. However, as of now, water quality and treatment remain uncompromised. 
   3. The joint intake with the Western Irrigation District (WID) is functioning off raw water storage supply, thereby ensuring no negative effects on drinking water quality for east Balzac, Conrich, Cambridge, and Prince of Peace. 
3. Continuous Updates: We are committed to keeping you informed. While currently, there's no adverse effect on our County's drinking water systems, we'll ensure you are updated if the situation evolves. 
4. Water Co-op Members: If you receive water from a local water co-op, please reach out to them for specific updates about their systems. 

We hold the safety and well-being of our community in the highest regard and will provide updates should any changes in water quality arise. 

UPDATE #1

In solidarity with our neighbours in the Town of Cochrane, we at Rocky View County wish to provide our community with a transparent update regarding the recent incident involving wastewater discharging into the Bow River.

Yesterday evening, the Town of Cochrane reported an unfortunate incident where a contractor's activities led to a disruption in their wastewater pipeline. This resulted in a temporary release of wastewater into the Bow River. We wish to emphasize, as has the Town of Cochrane, that drinking water remains unaffected and is safe.

We recognize that many of our residents may have concerns or be seeking information about the situation.

Here's what our community needs to know:

• Safety First: For your safety, please steer clear of the area to ensure that professionals can address the situation effectively.
   
• Pathway & Traffic Updates: Take note of pathway closures along the Bow River, including the Jim Uffelmann Memorial Park and the area around the HWY 22 bridge. Additionally, be aware of reduced traffic lanes on eastbound Griffin Road.
   
• Monitoring & Action: Our teams, in conjunction with the Town of Cochrane, are actively monitoring the situation. At this moment, we wish to reassure our residents that no immediate action is required on your part.
   
• Stay Informed: For ongoing updates, residents are encouraged to visit the official Town of Cochrane website at cochrane.ca. Additionally, Rocky View County will relay any critical updates or required actions through our official communication channels.

Posted in: Fire & Emergency