Water Treatment Plant Development

Overview

Since the 1950s, Hinton's pulp mill has provided potable water for Town of Hinton residents plus treated and disposed of wastewater and sewage. In 2024, Hinton signed new agreements with Mondi, the pulp mill owner, and responsibility for potable water production and wastewater and sewer treatment will be transferred to the Town over the next 25 years. That includes constructing a new Town-owned water treatment plant by 2046.

Background

When Hinton's pulp mill was constructed in the 1950s, the operation needed significantly more water for industrial use than Town residents needed for household use. Therefore, the mill built a potable water treatment facility along with a wastewater treatment facility for both corporate and municipal use.

However, changes in potable water supply standards and guidelines in 2006 resulted in an upgrade to the Hinton water treatment process in 2011. Since then, the requirements and responsibilities of operating potable water treatment processes in Alberta have significantly increased. As a result of these more stringent potable water standards and recognizing that potable water supply is not one of the mill owner's business lines, West Fraser Mills Ltd. informed the Town of Hinton that they wished to remove the liability associated with supplying potable water to the Town of Hinton.

In 2015, the Town of Hinton and West Fraser (the owner of the Hinton pulp mill at that time) initiated a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Transfer Project. The purpose of the project was to transition the responsibility of providing potable water to the Town of Hinton from West Fraser to the Town.

Steps in WTP Development

In 2023, the Town collaborated with Mondi - the new mill owners - on new agreements to transition potable water treatment and sewage services to the Town by 2046. The Water Services Agreement and Waste Water Services Agreement were signed on January 30, 2024 and require the Town to pay for their share of operating and capital costs associated with potable water and sewage treatment services provided to Hinton residents and businesses.

The first phase - transfering the operation of potable water equipment and systems installed in 2011 to the Town of Hinton - is complete. The Town of Hinton is now responsible for supplying potable water to its residents and businesses while the mill owner's role is to provide partially treated water to the Town.

The second phase, whereby the mill owner provides untreated water from the Athabasca River to the Town of Hinton, is underway. It includes designing and constructing a new water treatment plant which will bypass the mill's existing treatment processes. Additionally, from 2025 through 2029, the Town will be upgrading the sewage treatment process by adding mechanical screening. Following this, the Town water and sewage distribution systems (underground pipes) will be upgraded.

There are many complex steps.

• Identify and purchase land for the construction of a new WTP
• Ensure sufficient funds are available for construction, maintenance and operations
• Design and construct the facility
• Complete the transfer of water treatment from the mill to the Town.

Costs

This work is expensive. Designing and building a new Town of Hinton-owned WTP is estimated to cost $80 million in 2024 dollars. However, as the Town will be designing and engineering the WTP closer to the time of construction (2040s), construction costs will likely increase.

Utility rates paid by residents and businesses will increase to pay for the upgraded and new potable water and sewer treatment services and infrastructure. Water meters will help ensure that water users pay for their own water consumption and can choose to conserve water where possible.

Meters were installed at commercial operations in Hinton prior to 2024. From August 23 to September 23, 2024, the Town surveyed residents about increased utility rates and installation of residential water meters. The results are available here.

Council subsequently approved an updated Water Utility Bylaw, Sewer and Wastewater Bylaw, and Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw to reflect changes to utility billing, rates, and water meter installation.

On January 1, 2025, residential, multi-residential, and commercial customers received a monthly utility bill that covers water, sewer, and garbage services. Single family residential and multi-residential customers (apartment buildings, mobile home parks) are billed $101.10 every month. Flat rates that commercial customers pay for water and sewer services decreased; however, all water and sewer consumption is charged at a new rate per cubic meter.

Residential water meters will be installed in Hinton from fall 2025 to spring 2026. On May 1, 2026, utility rates will reflect water use measured by newly-installed residential water meters.

Be Informed

The project timeline and important dates will be updated to reflect Council decisions and proposed next steps. Meanwhile, check out Frequently Asked Questions on the Town's website and supporting documents below.

Get Involved

Public engagement will be offered throughout the project so that residents and businesses affected by the project remain informed and can provide input where feasible. Engagement opportunities will be shared on this page and via other communication channels such as social media (Facebook), and emails to those who have elected to be notified (see below).

Your input will help shape the project. Please share your thoughts.