OUR HISTORY
What do you see in a drop of clear water? We see something brought back into clarity through human ingenuity.
Wastewater processing has a key objective: returning the vitality and potential of a precious resource back into the ecosystem and our economy. Epic in scale but quiet in operation, it’s a technological achievement that can go unnoticed while it tirelessly functions in the background of our lives and livelihoods. We are the protectors of this vital resource, guarding its viability for future generations.
For nearly 40 years, ARROW Utilities – A Capital Region Commission has supported our region. Leading through best practices, we aim to provide an essential service to residents and industries by processing and reclaiming water. While protecting our environment, we also seek opportunities to provide more value through the circular economy.
With our province poised to transform Canada’s energy future, we’re ready to let fly with our vision and leadership – making a critical difference in water reuse while protecting the region’s role in the broader global economy. Sustainability has driven us for decades, and now that same principle guides our participation in bold new endeavours. Recovered wastewater can unlock boundless new forms of energy, and we’re taking aim at that better future.
Our Vision: To ensure ARROW Utilities – A Capital Region Commission is a leader in water reclamation.
Our Mission: ARROW Utilities – A Capital Region Commission provides responsible transmission and treatment for member municipalities, the City of Beaumont, the City of Leduc, the City of Fort Saskatchewan, the City of Spruce Grove, the City of St. Albert, the Town of Bon Accord, the Town of Gibbons, Town of Morinville, Town of Stony Plain, Leduc County, Parkland County, Strathcona County, and Sturgeon County.
Meet the team working behind the scenes to make it all possible.
The 1970s saw rapid growth in Edmonton and the surrounding municipalities. This growth taxed existing sewage management systems, triggering a review of the system and treatment facilities. In 1977, the Edmonton Regional Utilities Study was undertaken. The study recommended centralizing sewage treatment instead of expanding the existing individual community facilities.
With that recommendation, the province elected to implement a regional wastewater treatment plant and transmission system to support the municipalities surrounding Edmonton. With direction established, the design and construction of the plant and trunk sewers commenced in 1980. While construction was ongoing, the Government of Alberta and representatives from the original participating municipalities formed a Task Force that negotiated the structure, financial terms and regulations for the Capital Region Sewage Commission.
In May 1985, a provincial regulation was passed formally empowering the Capital Region Sewage Commission to provide sewage transmission and treatment services to 10 municipalities in the region. By the end of 1985, the communities of Morinville and Gibbons joined the collective.
In 2000, the name of the Commission was changed to the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission (ACRWC).
In 2002 the Town of Bon Accord joined, bringing the membership to the current complement of 13.
For the last 20 years, the ACRWC has worked diligently to provide financial stability, reliable services, and innovative approaches to the more than 300,000 Albertans it served. Then, in 2023, a new vision was reimagined for ACRWC, and with that, created a new name and future direction.
In September 2023, ACRWC formally rebranded as ARROW Utilities, a forward-facing organization that is designed to not only service its original 13 municipalities but is better positioned to take aim at opportunities for water reclamation, circular economies, and the potential of water resources.
