Ochapowace eyeing growth with wastewater storage site

A lot can happen when people get their sewage together.

That’s what the Ochapowace First Nation has done by striking a deal with the Muskowekwan First Nation and Tell Properties.

Together, they’ve formed the Atâmipêk Land Corp., which has bought some land east of Regina to build a facility that will store two million cubic metres of treated wastewater.

The facility, which will sit on lands previously owned by the Regina Bypass Project, will be part of a wastewater system that includes a treatment plant on Ochapowace that is expected to be completed in six to eight weeks.

Utility service would make lands between Regina and Emerald Park attractive and unlock development potential.

“It’s literally in the billions of what it opens up in developable property. It had virtually no value whatsoever except as existing agricultural land because there is no way you’re going to service it,” said Jose Lebioda, vice-president of Tell Properties.

“Without having sewage capacity, your land is nothing.”

The environment would benefit as well, as the planned facility eliminates the need to send sewage downstream. As well, the technology is superior to the use of sewage lagoons.

“I do physically live in the Qu’Appelle Valley and we know that there has been raw sewage running through our watersheds for decades,” said Heather Bear, vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

“I’m hoping other nations will start hearing and knowing about alternatives that will make a path to better, cleaner water which is going to (mean) healthier people, healthier environment, healthier food.”