Dispute over third-party water sales to be discussed

Rick Blair, chair of the Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission, hopes a meeting between commission officials and their counterparts with the Town of Olds will provide some "clarification" on the commission’s policy on third-party water sales.

Last month, town officials raised concerns about the commission’s policy that the municipality could not sell water to third parties outside town boundaries.

The decision to schedule the meeting between the commission and the town was made at the MVRWSC’s meeting on July 17.

"Until we have that discussion, we’re not sure where their stance is and where our stance is and if there is some difference. We’re all partners on this commission so we want to make sure everybody’s voice is heard and if there is an issue, we discuss it and find ways around it," Blair said.

Harvey Walsh, the town’s alternate representative on the commission, said the discussion will revolve around the roles and responsibilities of commission members. At this point, the meeting will only include Olds and the MVRWSC.

"Meanwhile the commission will get some clarifications on their role vis-À-vis the (Municipal Government Act), Alberta Environment and what they can and can’t do buying water outside the boundaries of the commission. Some positive things will come of this," Walsh said.

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