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Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Vol. 48, No. 25
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Viking receives OTIS Award from Battle River Watershed for creating raw water pumping station Station serves agricultural and fire protection needs while preserving potable water Patricia Harcourt Editor
The Town of Viking has received recognition for a raw water project initiative that opened last year. The Battle River Watershed Alliance met with members of Viking Council Thursday, June 19, to present the Watershed Alliance’s OTIS Award. The town was nominated by Beaver County Councillor Dale Pederson, who represents the county’s Division 5 where Viking and area is located. Pederson made the presentation to Mayor James Buttner and Councillors Judy Acres and Cindy Lefsrud. The award was for the town’s initiative in establishing a filtered raw water pumping station. The station opened last spring and since then has provided raw water for agricultural purposes and fire protection needs. “This recognition means a great deal to our community,” said Mayor Buttner. “We’re incredibly proud to stand alongside so many others who are working hard to protect and sustain the health of our land, water, and communities.” Buttner went on to explain that the town’s project - formally called the Seasonal Raw Filtered Water Pumping Station - “was borne out of a real and pressing need. “With drought becoming a more frequent and severe challenge in Alberta, we knew we needed to think ahead,” he said. “We needed to act, not only to pro-
tect our treated water supply, but to support our agricultural community, and enhance our emergency preparedness and conserve resources for the future.” OTIS stands for Outstanding in Stewardship, and the town is being honoured for its 2024 water project. The stewardship refers to the collective responsibility to care for the land, water and biodiversity, and all the values inherent in them. The nomination under the organizational/business category, stated that, “The Town of Viking revitalized a municipal water reservoir with the Filtered Raw Water Pumping Station in 2024. “As the town’s previous water source, the water reservoir and pumping station is now used to accommodate agricultural and fire protection needs in the area to mitigate current and future drought conditions,” the nomination goes on to state. “This pumping station enables the Town of Viking to remain an important residential and business centre in a rural Alberta area,” concluded the nomination. In his acceptance speech, Buttner also recognized town council and administration for their leadership, commitment to conservation, and belief in long-term solutions. The agricultural community around Viking was also recognized for “using this water wisely, and for your support and input which helped shape this project from the ground up.” WEEKLY REVIEW FILE PHOTO
The official opening of the seasonal raw water pumping station took place on site in Viking in late April of 2024. Just over a year later, the Town of Viking has received the Battle River Watershed Alliance’s OTIS Award for the project.
SUPPLIED PHOTOS
On June 19, Viking Mayor James Buttner (right) was presented a commemorative picture in honour of the Town of Viking’s winning of the Battle River Watershed Alliance OTIS Award. Making the presentation was Dale Pederson, Division 5 Beaver County councillor, who represents the county on the Watershed Alliance board.