The Town of Okotoks has received a large grant from the Provincial Government for flood resiliency.

The Town had applied for funding through the Alberta Community Resilience Program to create easier access to the Waste Water Treatment Plant, and received $1.63 million.

Marley Oness, Manager of Engineering with the Town of Okotoks says the money will be used to construct a foot bridge to the plant from the south river escarpment.

He says in the event of a flood accessing the water treatment plant can become very difficult.

"When we experience a flood our water treatment plant is cut off, and we need the ability to personnel into the plant," he says. "In the past we've had to fly them in on helicopter which can be somewhat hit and miss depending on weather conditions and availability of helicopters. We felt that to ensure that we have access to the plant at all times that a foot bridge or some other way of getting personnel over to the plant was necessary."

Oness adds the town is now going through a procumbent and design process, and construction on the bridge won't likely start until next year.

Plant operators will be have exclusive use of the bridge and it will be closed to the public.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com