Darwell Lagoon Commission Applies for Wastewater System Amendment

The County is hereby notifying residents that the Darwell Lagoon Commission has applied to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for an amendment to its existing approval (EPEA Approval No. 590-03-00) under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA)

Current System

The Darwell Wastewater system includes:

• a low-pressure collection system in the Hamlet of Darwell
• a lagoon system with two facultative cells and one evaporative storage cell at NW¼ 17-054-04 W5M
• the existing wastewater pipeline (the Phase B Transmission Main) running from the Darwell Lagoon to an area near Alberta Beach

Proposed Amendment

The Commission is seeking approval to extend the Phase B Transmission Main from Alberta Beach to the Northeast wastewater lagoon at SE¼ 29-57-3 W5M, currently operating under EPEA Registration No. 268157-00-00.

If approved, the extension would:

• allow effluent from the Darwell Lagoon to be transferred to the Northeast Lagoon
• make use of the Northeast Lagoon's available treatment capacity
• support further treatment and discharge of effluent to the Pembina River, as already permitted under existing registration #268157-00-00
  

Project Details

Details include:

• Installation of about 35 km of HDPE pipeline
• Construction of a lift station at the Highway 43 North lagoon at SW¼ 16-055-03 W5M

The proposed pipeline would end at the Northeast lagoon boundary; no physical connection will be made until all necessary regulatory approvals are in place to allow the lagoon to receive, treat, and discharge the extra effluent.

A directly affected person may provide input into certain regulatory decisions, as allowed by the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (Section 73). Specifically, any person who is directly affected by this application may submit a written statement of concern within 30 days of the date of this notice to:

Environment and Protected Areas
Regulatory Assurance Section
Approvals Unit
5th Floor, South Petroleum Plaza
9915 - 108 ST
EDMONTON, AB T5K 2G8

Email: [email protected]

The written statement of concern should include the following information to ensure it can be considered:

• The application number 010-590
• Describe concerns that are relevant to matters regulated by the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
• Explain how the filer of the concern will be directly affected by the activities proposed in the application
• Provide the legal land location of the land owned or used by the filer where the concerns described are believed to be applicable
• State the distance between the land owned or used by the filer and the site in the application
• Contact information, including the full name and mailing address of the filer. Please provide a telephone number and/or email address for ease of contact

Environment and Protected Areas will review each written statement of concern, seek more information if needed, and concerns that are relevant to the application and for which the Director has delegated authority to address in the decision on the application, will be considered in the technical review of the application. The Public Notice of this application will also be posted on the Department’s website at Alberta Environment and Protected Areas—Public Notices.

Statements of concern submitted regarding this application are public records that are accessible to the public and the applicant. Failure to file a statement of concern may affect the right to file a Notice of Appeal with the Environmental Appeals Board.

Copies of the application and additional information can be obtained by contacting:

Darwell Lagoon Commission
Attention: Brian Hartman
Box 219
SANGUDO, AB T0E 2A0

Telephone: 780-785-3411
Email: [email protected]

Local Context

The Darwell Lagoon Commission is a separate corporate entity comprised of the Summer Village of Southview and the Summer Village of Silver Sands, together with Lac Ste. Anne County. As a member municipality, the County participates in the governance of the Commission alongside these partners.

For context, other regional wastewater commissions include:

• Darwell Lagoon Commission – comprised of the Summer Villages of Southview and Silver Sands, and Lac Ste. Anne County.
• North 43 Lagoon Commission – comprised of the Summer Villages of Ross Haven, Yellowstone, Castle Island, and Lac Ste. Anne County.

Each commission operates independently, with its own governance structure that differs from the municipalities that belong to them.

Next Steps

As a member of the Darwell Lagoon Commission, Lac Ste. Anne County is directly involved in this application process. We will continue to work with our regional partners and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas throughout the review and will keep residents informed as updates become available.

• 2025-09-23 Darwell Lagoon Commission Notice