Wheatland County is installing an underground raw water supply pipeline from the Bow River to the Goldfinch Industrial Area. This raw water line is intended to support development in the Goldfinch Industrial Area, as well as provide redundancy to the water supply in the communities of Carseland and Speargrass.
PROJECT AREA
Goldfinch Industrial Area
Near Carseland, AB
WATER SOURCE
The Bow River
Via infiltration wells near Speargrass
WHY IT MATTERS
Reliability, Redundancy and Growth
For communities and development
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Over 10km of 300mm HDPE pipeline and associated infrastructure to deliver a reliable raw water supply to Carseland, Speagrass, and the Goldfinch Industrial Area with the capability of increasing capacity in the future.
Construction commenced January 2025, with the raw water line expected to wrap up by January 2026 and the Speargrass connection by Summer 2026.
Raw water offers flexibility. It can support community resiliency and industrial use, allows on-site treatment where required, and is more cost-effective than delivering treated potable water.
Directional drilling and use of existing road rights-of-way helps minimize ground disturbance, helping reduce environmental impacts and allowing for faster, more effective site restoration.
ROUTE & WORK AREAS
A high-level view of the corridor between the Bow River area and the Goldfinch Industrial Area.
Typical work activities
Directional drilling
Used for nearly 90% of the line installation to minimize surface disturbance
Pipe installation & tie-ins
Pulling of pipe in ~250m segments, connection of the segments, and returning the site to original condition.
Construction Zones
Due to proximity of the line to some roadways, single-lane closures or narrowing may occur; emergency access remains available throughout construction.
PROGRESS
This timeline highlights the major phases of the project from planning through to construction and commissioning.
LATEST
| Date | Update |
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April 2026 |
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March 2026 |
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02-18-2026 |
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01-22-2026 |
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12-23-2025 |
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11-19-2025 |
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10-23-2025 |
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09-24-2025 |
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08-21-2025 |
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07-30-2025 |
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06-25-2025 |
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04-23-2025 |
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QUESTIONS
Why is the Goldfinch Raw Water Line connecting to the Speargrass Water Treatment Plant?
The connection is being built to improve reliability and resiliency of the County’s water infrastructure. By linking the Goldfinch raw water system to the Speargrass Water Treatment Plant (WTP), the County can provide operational redundancy in the event of a planned maintenance, emergency repairs, or unexpected supply interruptions. This connection allows water to be supplied between systems when needed, helping ensure continuity of service and support long-term growth in the area. While the Goldfinch system is designed to operate independently, the additional connection provides flexibility and reduces risk to the community’s water supply.
Is Wheatland County sending treated, potable water to Goldfinch?
No. The Goldfinch Raw Water Line is designed to supply raw (untreated) water, not potable water. Developers may choose to treat the raw water on-site as they see fit to meet their specific operational needs and applicable regulatory requirements. The connection to the Speargrass Water Treatment Plant is for system reliability and redundancy only and does not change the intended use of the Goldfinch raw water supply. If you believe there are adverse effects to water quality in Carseland or Speargrass, please contact Wheatland County’s Water and Wastewater Emergency Line at 403-361-2183, and press ‘1’ to speak with an on-call operator.
How was groundwater sustainability considered when designing the Goldfinch Raw Water Line?
Groundwater sustainability was a key consideration in the design of the Goldfinch Raw Water Line. The project is supplied by river-connected production wells near the Bow River, which are designed to draw water that is hydraulically connected to the river rather than from isolated groundwater aquifers. Hydrogeological investigations and testing were completed to understand groundwater conditions, confirm sustainable yields, and assess potential effects on nearby water users and the environment. The system is regulated under the Water Act, and withdrawals are limited to licensed amounts and monitored to ensure long-term sustainability.
Who is using the Goldfinch Raw Water Line?
At this time, the Goldfinch Raw Water Line is being used by CGC, which is the first developer connected to the system. CGC uses the raw water as part of its drywall manufacturing process. The system has been designed to support additional users in the Goldfinch Industrial Area as future developments proceed and appropriate approvals are obtained.
If you have any additional questions that have not been answered here, feel free to send us an email or give us a call. Contact information can be found below.
CONTACT
Contact Wheatland County for questions about the project or to inquire about related notices and public information.
403-934-3321
Wheatland County
admin@wheatlandcounty.ca
Administration
