A water crisis that began with a pumphouse failure more than three years ago has finally come to an end in Three Hills.

The town marked the completion of its new pumphouse with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 26, closing a 41-month chapter that began in April 2022 when its only facility broke down. The replacement project, costing nearly $5 million, was largely covered by insurance, with the municipality responsible for just 1.5 per cent.

The new infrastructure will provide potable water to the town’s 3,200 residents, Kneehill County customers and the neighbouring Town of Trochu. Mayor Ray Wildeman called the project’s completion “a cornerstone for future generations.”

Photo 1: Three Hills Mayor Ray Wildeman and Manager of Operational Services Forrest Manser, immersed in the depths of Three Hills’ new pumphouse. Rural Alberta Report/David Nadeau

Photo 2: Participating: Forrest Manser, manager of operational services, Mayor Ray Wildeman, Clr. Marilyn Sept, Grant Gyurkovits, director of operations and infrastructure. Rural Alberta Report/David Nadeau