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WHEREAS Government of Alberta does not recognize some hamlet settlements as “hamlets” for the purpose of funding water and wastewater projects; and
WHEREAS certain hamlets in Alberta were established prior to 1905, before the Province of Alberta was created; and
WHEREAS these historical communities were founded under unique settlement patterns, including the “Plat of Zion”, “Garden lot, or “Agricultural Village” community design, resulting in larger-than-standard residential lots that exceed TEC’s current maximum lot size requirement of 1,850 m² (0.457 ac); and
WHEREAS residents in these communities require access to potable water systems that meet Government of Alberta regulations to ensure the health and safety of residents; and
WHEREAS the exclusion of these historical hamlets from the official list of approved hamlets eligible for potable water funding places an undue burden on residents and restricts equitable access to essential infrastructure; and
WHEREAS acknowledging and supporting communities that predate Alberta’s provincial status is essential to preserving settlement history and ensuring fair access to provincial programs.
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) advocate to the Government of Alberta to formally recognize hamlets established before 1905 as “historical hamlets”; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Alberta amend its potable water funding eligibility requirements so that all historical hamlets are included, regardless of current lot size standards; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED the Government of Alberta work with municipalities to secure potable water funding for these historical hamlets in compliance with provincial health and environmental safety standards.
Member Background:
Alberta is home to over 430 recognized hamlets, many of which were founded well before Alberta became a province in 1905. These early communities often developed under unique planning traditions that differ from modern subdivision standards.
One notable example is the “Plat of Zion” design, introduced by settlers in the late 1800s. This planning model emphasized wide streets, a central gathering space, and residential lots much larger than today’s standards—often one acre or more. As a result, many of Alberta’s pre-1905 hamlets have lot sizes that exceed Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors’ current potable water funding eligibility threshold of 1,850 m² (0.457 ac).
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors administer programs such as the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) and Water for Life (W4L), which provide cost-shared grants to municipalities for water and wastewater infrastructure. To qualify, a hamlet must be recognized by the province and meet certain technical requirements, including minimum numbers of dwellings and maximum lot sizes. While these rules may fit newer, compact communities, they unintentionally exclude historical hamlets that were designed differently and established before Alberta’s provincial boundaries were even drawn.
This creates a significant gap:
Cardston County has a few hamlets that do not qualify for funding because of their lot sizes. Three of them are Aetna, Mountain View and Leavitt, all of which were established in the late 1800s. These communities were built on larger lots under the Plat of Zion model, making them ineligible for funding despite being long-standing settlements with clear municipal recognition. Similar challenges exist across Alberta in other pre-1905 hamlets that share unique planning legacies.
Alberta Primary and Preventative Services (formerly Alberta Health) and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas have identified concerns regarding the safety and reliability of water within certain hamlets and have engaged in discussions with Cardston County to address how safe and compliant water sources can be secured. In response, the County has prepared detailed regional waterline plans to deliver potable water to these communities. However, without access to provincial funding, the County is unable to move these projects forward to construction.
Recognizing these historical hamlets and adjusting eligibility criteria would:
RMA Background:
9-25S: Water and Wastewater System Funding
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate for the Government of Alberta to restore Water for Life Program (WFLP) funding levels and expand WFLP eligibility to include water and wastewater distribution system replacements and maintenance.
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