DEC Members ERA and Town of Cardston Collaborate to Transform Waste to Energy
Source: | · ERA · | August 22, 2025
Clean Water, Less Waste, and More Savings
Provincial funding will help two small towns test new ways to treat wastewater and convert waste into energy.
Alberta’s government is investing $10 million from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program to pilot two new technologies that will help Cardston and Peace River treat wastewater more efficiently and turn waste into clean energy. These projects will help save taxpayers’ money, reduce waste and create jobs.
“Alberta’s municipalities are looking for ways to reduce waste and upgrade infrastructure, and funding these two projects does exactly that. If successful, it could help Alberta communities reduce waste and keep water clean, while reducing emissions and saving taxpayers money.”
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
“This investment, made through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Continuous Intake Program, supports practical solutions that help Alberta’s municipalities manage the complexity of waste and water. This program allows us to support the right projects at the right time, helping municipalities deliver essential services and meet the long-term needs of their communities.”
Justin Riemer, Chief Executive Officer, Emissions Reduction Alberta
Across Alberta, growing populations, aging infrastructure, and rapidly filling municipal landfills are driving up the costs of water and waste management, leaving municipalities looking for solutions. However, new technologies can be expensive or not readily available. That’s why Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) is helping fund two promising innovation projects.
The Town of Cardston is receiving $5 million in provincial funding to help install a new wastewater system that uses helpful bacteria to eat sewage. The technology uses 50 per cent less electricity than the current system and produces cleaner, more reliable water at a lower cost. If successful, this project could offer a cheaper, more environmentally friendly way for many other communities to treat wastewater.
“We are incredibly grateful for the Government of Alberta’s support through Emissions Reduction Alberta that has enabled the launch of the province’s first-ever standalone Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor pilot, an innovative leap forward in wastewater treatment. This groundbreaking installation in the Town of Cardston signals a bold shift in how not only municipalities, but other commercial operators, approach sustainable wastewater infrastructure. Cardston is delighted to be leading the way in embracing transformative technology.”
Maggie Kronen, Mayor, Town of Cardston