Lac Ste. Anne County and Darwell Lagoon Commission Advance Infrastructure Plan to Protect Lakes, Support Growth, and Secure Long-Term Compliance

Lac Ste. Anne County (LSAC) and the Darwell Lagoon Commission are taking proactive steps to ensure the region’s wastewater systems remain safe, compliant, and sustainable for decades to come. A new wastewater management solution, supported through a provincially funded partnership, will protect local waterways, accommodate future growth, and reduce long-term costs for residents.

How We Got Here

LSAC operates eight lagoon systems, with Darwell and North 43 handling the majority of municipal effluent. Darwell is unique as the County’s only evaporation lagoon with no discharge, and its last expansion took place 16 years ago. As the system approaches capacity, the County and Commission recognized the need for a long-term solution that avoids emergency measures and costly short-term fixes.

North 43 also operates under limitations set by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEP), requiring careful management to maintain compliance. Both systems have undergone regular major maintenance to stay within regulatory standards, but increasing demand and tightening federal and provincial discharge requirements have made an upgrade necessary.

Without intervention, expansion of the Darwell and North 43 lagoons would cost approximately $5 million each – a combined $10 million – fully funded by municipal taxpayers. That approach would not only burden residents but also risk future non-compliance as standards continue to evolve.

What We're Doing

Through the Province’s 90/10 grant funding model, LSAC and the Darwell Lagoon Commission are preparing to direct treated wastewater from the Darwell and North 43 lagoons into the Pembina watershed via a connection to the Northeast Lagoon. This forward-thinking project will meet modern environmental standards, accommodate community growth, and protect area lakes and rivers for generations to come.

By using different lagoons along the route, the system will also improve wastewater collection efficiency and provide capacity for future development. The Pembina watershed connection will ensure treated water is released safely into a flowing system, as discharges into the Sturgeon River cannot be approved under current regulations.

Why Acting Now Matters

Acting now under the 90/10 cost-share structure means LSAC and the member municipalities of South View, Silver Sands, Castle Island, Ross Haven, and Yellowstone can save residents from carrying the full capital cost burden. It also allows the County and partners to build a proper utility model for the long-term sustainability of the wastewater system.

Lagoon overflows, odour issues, and non-compliant discharges can create liability for municipalities and harm the health of lakes and rivers. By investing in this project today, LSAC and the Darwell Lagoon Commission are proactively eliminating those risks, ensuring operational stability and environmental protection.

To provide confidence in the process and ensure the highest technical standards, Stantec Inc. has been engaged as the lead engineering consultant on this project. Their expertise and oversight ensure that the design, planning, and execution meet both community expectations and strict regulatory requirements.

“This is about making the right decision today to protect both our environment and our taxpayers tomorrow,” said Joe Blakeman, Reeve of Lac Ste. Anne County. “By leveraging provincial funding, we are strengthening our infrastructure, supporting growth, and ensuring compliance for decades – all while saving our residents millions of dollars.”

• 2025 10 08 LSAC Darwell Advance Infrastructure Plan

Further Context

The Darwell Lagoon Commission recently applied to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas to amend its existing lagoon approval, paving the way for a new connection that would direct treated wastewater from Darwell to the Northeast Lagoon for further treatment and discharge to the Pembina River.

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.

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.