2024
Partnership with Des Nedhe Group
EPCOR launches a working partnership with the Des Nedhe Group, a 100% owned development arm of the English River First Nation. The partnership will focus on developing a new water treatment facility and associated infrastructure to provide potable water to proposed residential, commercial and industrial developments within Corman Park and the area surrounding Grasswood Junction, Des Nedhe’s reserve property, just south of Saskatoon, SK.
Harmony water and wastewater systems
EPCOR becomes the owner and operator of water and wastewater systems that anchor Harmony, Qualico Communities Calgary and Bordeaux Development’s master-planned residential community west of downtown Calgary, AB.
Demineralized Water Plant
EPCOR and Ontario Power Generation open the new Demineralized Water Plant at the Darlington Nuclear Power Plant in Ontario. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to produce up to 120 litres of ultra-pure water every second to support operations of the power plant.
2023
Semiconductor Fabrication Facility
EPCOR USA is selected to provide industrial water supply and water reclamation services for Samsung’s $17-billion advanced semiconductor fabrication facility in Taylor, Texas – one of the largest foreign economic development projects in American history.
Clovis solar energy project
EPCOR USA and SynerGen Solar announce an agreement to develop nearly 500 acres of land for a solar energy project south of Clovis, New Mexico. The site will be capable of producing 90 megawatts of solar electricity at peak load, or enough to power an estimated 17,000 homes.
2022
Copper Basin Water Reclamation Facility
Kicked off construction of the new Copper Basin Water Reclamation Facility, located in Pinal County’s San Tan Valley, with plans to return more than one billion gallons of safe, clean water annually to the natural water cycle through aquifer recharge.
Luke 303 Regional Water Reclamation Facility
Completed a $48M expansion of the Luke 303 Regional Water Reclamation Facility in one of the fastest-growing areas of Maricopa County in the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
Bruce county natural gas
Resumed construction in Bruce County, Ontario to bring safe, affordable and reliable natural gas to communities.
Pecan expansion complete
Completed the $21M USD expansion of the Pecan Water Reclamation Facility, located in the San Tan water and wastewater districts.
Solar farm
EPCOR’s kīsikāw pīsim (KEY-see-gaw PEE-sim) solar farm, adjacent to the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant, is officially energized. Enoch Cree Nation gifts the name, which means daylight sun and is represented in Cree syllabics as ᑮᓯᑳᐤ ᐲᓯᒼ.
2021
San Tan water and wastewater districts acquisition
After serving as interim manager of Johnson Utilities Inc., EPCOR USA acquires the utility, now known as the San Tan water and wastewater districts. This makes EPCOR USA the water and wastewater service provider for one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States.
Pecan expansion
Pecan Water Reclamation Facility expansion project begins in the San Tan water and wastewater districts.
Solar farm construction begins
Construction starts on the solar farm, which will generate renewable energy to help power the nearby E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant.
Sustainability reporting
EPCOR publishes its sustainability report, building on 20 years, and includes a scorecard of 25 performance measures and 17 targets.
2020
Pandemic relief
EPCOR contributes more than $2 million to pandemic relief and recovery, in large part through its Heart + Soul Fund in support of arts, cultural and charitable organizations. The fund continues in 2021 and 2022, with a total of $3.9 million for 123 grants, provided to more than 80 organizations over three years. This is in addition to the more than $1 million provided in community support each year.
MOU signed with Enoch Cree Nation
Enoch Cree Nation and EPCOR sign a memorandum of understanding to formalize their commitment to working together in the spirit of reconciliation and collabouration.
2019
Solar farm approved
The Alberta Utilities Commission approves EPCOR’s application to construct and operate a solar farm adjacent to the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant.
Rio Verde purchase
EPCOR USA acquires a 100 per cent stake in Rio Verde Utilities Inc., which serves the Rio Verde area northeast of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Taste test award
Edmonton’s tap water is named the People's Choice Winner of the American Water Works Association Tap Water Taste Test, as voted by thousands of water experts.
2018
Entry into Ontario electricity market
We completed the acquisition of Collus Powerstream Corporation on October 1. We provide electricity to close to 20,000 customers in three major communities in Simcoe County — Collingwood, Stayner and Creemore — plus a portion of the town of Blue Mountains (formerly Thornbury).
2017
EPCOR welcomes Edmonton Drainage Services
Edmonton City Council approved the transfer of its Drainage Services department to EPCOR, giving us responsibility for managing Edmonton's complete water utility cycle. About 700 skilled and experienced Drainage employees joined our team.
Entry into natural gas market
We moved into a new line of business with acquisitions of two natural gas companies: Natural Resource Gas Limited, which serves customers in four counties in southwestern Ontario; and Hughes Gas Resources Inc., which serves customer connections and provides wholesale transmission services in Texas.
2016
125 Years
EPCOR celebrates 125 years since the day our founders were granted a permit to build the Edmonton Electric Lighting and Power Company, which eventually became EPCOR.
EPCOR USA enters Texas market
EPCOR USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EPCOR Utilities Inc., acquires the 130 Pipeline Project, a 53-mile wholesale water supply pipeline that delivers groundwater from Burleson County to eastern Travis County in the northeastern Austin, Texas metropolitan area.
Regina Wastewater Treatment Plant meets more stringent environmental standards
The wastewater treatment plant, a partnership between EPCOR and the City of Regina, was among Canada's top water infrastructure projects when built. EPCOR achieved substantial completion in December 2016 and will be the plant's long-term operator.
2015
Construction begins on Luke 303 Regional Water Reclamation Facility
EPCOR USA, Maricopa County and the City of Glendale mark the start of construction on a 40-acre facility that will fuel new growth and development along the Loop 303 transportation corridor in Maricopa County.
EPCOR and Maricopa Water District sign historic water agreement
EPCOR signs an innovative agreement that provides enough water to supply 41,000 homes and businesses each year.
EPCOR expands to Saskatchewan
The City of Regina selects EPCOR to design, build, finance and operate its new wastewater treatment plant. The new facility is designed to meet new environmental regulations and the city's growing needs.
2014
Partnership protects people and aquatic environment at Kananaskis
EPCOR completes construction of a new water treatment plant and wastewater treatment facility in Kananaskis. In partnership with the Alberta government, the EPCOR-operated treatment systems now help protect the aquatic environment and allow for enhanced fire protection in the region.
2013
Heartland Transmission Line is Launched
The Heartland Transmission Project is energized in Alberta. The project partners, EPCOR and AltaLink, built a 66-km double circuit 500 kV line linking power generation west of Edmonton to the Heartland region located to the northeast.
2012
Major Water Acquisitions in Arizona and New Mexico
EPCOR USA acquires American Water Works Company's Arizona and New Mexico water businesses to become the largest private regulated water provider in the two states. The transaction included operations in 11 water utility districts, many of them in the Phoenix area.
2011
Entry into U.S. Water Market
On June 1, EPCOR USA enters the U.S. market with the acquisition of Chaparral City Water Company of Fountain Hills, Arizona.
2009
EPCOR Purchases Suncor Potable Water & Wastewater Facilities
EPCOR purchases Suncor's potable water and wastewater facilities for $100 million on a 20-year leaseback agreement.
Capital Power Corporation Established
On July 9, EPCOR Utilities Inc. spins off its power generation business to create Capital Power Corporation (TSX:CPX).
Transfer of Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant
The City of Edmonton transfers ownership of the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant to EPCOR Water Services.
2008
E.L. Smith Upgrade Completed
The three-year upgrade to the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant is completed. It helps ensure a secure, long-term supply of drinking water for the Edmonton region.
2006
Britannia Mine Water Treatment Plant begins operation
The clean-up begins at Howe Sound, one of North America's largest sources of heavy metal pollution—the project being a result of an award-winning partnership between EPCOR and the B.C. Government.
2003
100 Years
EPCOR Water celebrates 100 years.
Rossdale Water Treatment Plant
UV disinfection is added at Rossdale Water Treatment Plant.
2000
Water softening process
The water softening process in Edmonton is stopped in 2000 as part of a plan to meet enhanced water quality regulations.
1999
New name
Aqualta renamed EPCOR.
1996
EPCOR Utilities Inc. formed
The formation of EPCOR Utilities Inc. marks the first merger of natural gas, power and water utilities in Canada. A universal brand name, EPCOR, is introduced in 2001.
1991
100 years
Edmonton Power celebrates 100 years.
1976
E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant opens.
1970
Edmonton Power formed
The Electrical Distribution and Power Plant departments combine to form Edmonton Power.
Construction of E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant begins
Calder water tower is dismantled after 23 years in service.
1967
Rossdale #3 Water Treatment Plant is commissioned
Fluoridation begins in Edmonton.
1956
Rossdale #2 Water Treatment Plant is commissioned
1955
Rossdale switches from coal to gas
Under pressure to reduce costs and air emissions, the City of Edmonton switches from coal-fired boilers to gas. All the boilers at the Rossdale Plant burn natural gas by the end of 1955.
1947
Rossdale #1 Water Treatment Plant is commissioned
Electricity goes underground
Lines are removed from above the streets and underground lines are installed in downtown Edmonton, forming the Network Distribution System—a more reliable method of power distribution.
1933
First traffic light
Edmonton's first traffic light installed at Jasper Avenue and 101 Street
1913
High lift, low lift pumphouse built
Two water intakes with 900m pipes are constructed.
1903
First water treatment plant built at Rossdale
Edmonton Water and Light Company constructs the first water treatment plant at Rossdale. It includes one pumphouse complete with one low lift and one high lift pump and one sedimentation basin.
A new plant is built at Rossdale Flats
Due to flood damage, a new and superior power plant is built on higher ground. Electricity is generated by burning coal.
First piped distribution system is constructed
The system serves 4,176 customers with 10.5 km of cast iron watermains, 50 fire hydrants and a 330,000-litre elevated storage tank.
1902
Edmonton Electric Lighting and Power Company made public
Edmonton Electrical Lighting and Power Company enters a new phase as the first municipally owned electric utility in Canada.
1891
Edmonton Electric Lighting and Power Company founded
On October 23, 1891, a group of entrepreneurs obtain a 10-year permit to build the Edmonton Electric Lighting and Power Company on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Power poles are installed along Jasper Avenue from 96 Street to 103 Street.
On December 22, 1891, electric lights come on in Edmonton.
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