Friday, February 20, 2026
Ponoka Town Council in Ponoka, Alta has approved the first reading of Borrowing Bylaw 01-2026 to partially fund construction of the first phase of required upgrades to the town’s wastewater treatment facility.
The province of Alberta issued a new 10-year operating approval for the facility under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, which approves new, more stringent provincial effluent treatment requirements that have been implemented under the Act, which are to be achieved through phased upgrades at the facility beginning in 2026, a Town of Ponoka release said.
To comply with the new provincial effluent treatment requirements, the Town of Ponoka will undertake the facility upgrades in three phases:
- Phase 1 (2026–2027) – early works, screening, conveyance and flow diversions.
- Phase 2 (2031) – mechanical treatment upgrades.
- Phase 3 (2035) – tertiary treatment improvements.
Phase 1 includes a new operations building for screening and grit removal, a new lift station, new tie-ins and replacement of existing pipes as needed and overflow management using repurposed lagoon cells.
Once three readings of Bylaw 01-2026 are approved by Council, the bylaw will authorize debenture financing in the amount of $3,877,873, representing the portion of the project to be funded through long-term borrowing, the release said. While the debenture is set at $3,877,873, the Town of Ponoka will only draw funds as needed.
Council approved the plan, design, and funding model for the facility upgrades at its regular meeting on Dec. 9, 2025, as a part of the town’s 2026 interim budget. Phase 1 of the project will be funded through grant funding, municipal reserves and debenture financing.
