County of Stettler council has deferred a request for a rural water connection that would require approximately 3.3 kilometres of new pipeline.

The request involves a property identified as NE 12-34-18-W4, where the water would be used for a residence and cattle. According to the County’s Oct. 28 council meeting, the property currently relies on a failing well.

Connecting the property would require about 3,300 metres of three-inch DR11 high-density polyethylene pipe extending from the nearest existing County waterline.

The proposed work would also include a flushing hydrant, metering equipment, excavation, drilling and installation labour.

Administration told council the property is more than three kilometres from the existing system. The project’s preliminary estimated cost exceeded the County’s tendering threshold, meaning the construction work would have to be publicly tendered if council proceeded.

The preliminary price was withheld from the public agenda to protect the contractor’s competitive position during a possible tender process.

Under the option presented to council, the property owner would pay the County’s $20,000 rural water connection fee. The remaining construction cost would be paid from municipal reserves.

The second option was to defer the request for consideration during future water-system planning.

Administration indicated that postponing the extension could provide time to determine whether other residents in the area are interested in connecting. Additional users could affect how a future extension is planned and funded.

During the discussion, council requested that maps be included with future water-connection reports. Councillors said maps would help them compare the location of a requested service with the County’s existing water infrastructure.

Coun. Justin Stevens moved to defer the connection request to future planning. The motion carried.

The County’s Water and Wastewater Bylaw sets an initial rural water connection fee of $20,000. It generally provides for service when a property abuts an existing County waterline, sufficient system capacity is available and the applicant meets the other service requirements.

Because the property involved in the Oct. 28 request is about 3.3 kilometres from the nearest line, council authorization would be required for the additional construction expense.