• Check with Alberta One Call before you begin onsite construction, to identify the location of existing utilities on your property.

Water
Some residential subdivisions are serviced by municipal water. With some remote rural water customers, pressures and flows may fluctuate depending on system demand. This may require the use of cisterns and/or pumps.

• Check with the county's Utilities department for a list of locations that are serviced by municipal water.

The most common source in rural areas is from private wells, which are regulated by Alberta Environment. Quality and quantity of well water can vary considerably depending on location and season.

• Acquire proper approvals before purchasing. It may be difficult to find enough water to serve your needs even if the proper permits are secured.
  
• Contact the provincial Groundwater Information Line to find out about water capacity when planning to drill a well.
  
• Check with the local health unit to determine water quality.
  
• Consider that costs associated with drilling, pumping and accessing a supply of treated domestic water can be expensive.

Wastewater

There are two types of wastewater services municipal and septic systems.

• Confirm if the property/existing acreage has municipal wastewater services or a septic system.
  

Municipal wastewater

There are two types of municipal wastewater services:

• Low pressure - most common in rural areas and requires customers to use septic tanks and pumps. Only the liquid wastewater is discharged into the sewer main. Solid waste must be trucked away for proper disposal.
  
• Gravity - most common in urban areas and requires less maintenance. Septic tanks and pumps are eliminated.

Septic system

If municipal wastewater services are not available, an approved on-site septic system or other treatment process is required.

If you are purchasing an existing acreage:

• Be sure to have the system inspected by a reliable sanitation firm.

Electricity

Electric services may not be readily available in every area of the county. Power outages can occur in outlying areas more frequently than in more developed areas, particularly if power lines are difficult to access. The cost for electricity is usually divided into a fee to hook up to the system and a monthly charge for energy consumed.

• Determine the proximity of electrical power, as it can be very expensive to extend power lines to remote areas.
  
• Make sure that proper easements are in place to extend power lines to your property. It may be necessary to cross property owned by others.
  
• Keep in mind that if you build at a future date, utility lines may not be available if others connect before the time you build.
  

Natural gas

Installing a natural gas line to your property is easier to complete before the ground freezes. This way, you'll avoid the risk of running into delays and winter construction surcharges.

• Notify your local natural gas service provider early in the planning stage.
  

Mail
Mail, newspaper and courier delivery may vary in your area.

• Contact your service providers to determine the type of delivery services offered.

County advertisements

The Morinville Mirror and Redwater Tribune carry Sturgeon County FYI, which advertises county notices and other information important to residents.

• Contact the Corporate Communications department if you do not receive either of these newspapers.

Telecommunication

The quality of telecommunication reception and services may be limited in some areas of the county. In some cases, cellular and computer modem use may not be available.

• Call Shaw Cable for information about cable accessibility, or consider satellite options.
  
• Find out what phone services are available by checking with Telus or other phone service providers.

Garbage disposal

Although the county does not provide garbage pick-up, residents can haul their trash to the Roseridge Landfill (located two miles east of Morinville). Residents who live in the Redwater area can use the Redwater transfer site. Residential waste removal/pick-up services are also available through private contractors.

• Contact the Roseridge Landfill for permitting information, hours of operation and types of garbage allowed.
  
• Contact the Town of Redwater for information about the Redwater Transfer Site.
  
• Check out the Sturgeon County Business Directory for private waste disposal businesses.