Photo: County of Stettler council approved a $39,417 fuel storage and management system that will increase diesel supplies from about three to four days to an estimated seven to nine days. (Source:  screenshot)

The County of Stettler will increase its diesel storage capacity and introduce a new fuel management system following council approval of a $39,417 purchase.

Council approved the purchase of an 11,000-litre fuel storage tank system, including a skid, platform, 110-volt pump package and Fuel Lock Business management system, for $39,417.45 plus GST from All Peace Petroleum of Spruce Grove. The purchase was approved during council's Aug. 26 meeting. The equipment was included in the county's 2026 budget.

The investment is intended to increase the amount of diesel the county can keep on hand and reduce the risk of operational disruptions when fuel deliveries are delayed, including during severe winter weather.

The operations department currently has diesel storage capacity of about 1,000 gallons, enough to keep diesel-powered equipment based at the county operations shop running for approximately three to four days.

Administration said limited storage has created challenges when fuel deliveries were interrupted by market conditions. In the past, the county has had to purchase a higher and more expensive grade of diesel to maintain daily operations.

The new system is expected to provide approximately seven to nine days of diesel supply at the operations site, giving the county more flexibility when deliveries are delayed or unavailable.

The purchase also includes Fuel Lock Business software, which will allow the county to more closely monitor who is accessing fuel and how much is being used.

The system provides multiple-user capability, equipment identification tracking, fuel-fill limits, odometer tracking and usage reports. It can also send text or email alerts and warn staff if the fuel system is tampered with.

Administration researched fuel suppliers and consulted fuel distributors and other municipalities before recommending All Peace Petroleum. According to the council report, the company was the only supplier identified that offered full-service support, including system assembly and installation guidance.

Staff also obtained quotes for purchasing individual components from other suppliers but found there was no cost advantage to buying the equipment separately and assembling the system in-house.

Technical information provided to council shows the proposed 11,000-litre Westeel tank is a double-wall unit built to ULC-S601-07 specifications.

With council approval now in place, operations is expected to proceed with the purchase, with delivery scheduled for November 2026.