Over the past several years, our city has made important progress toward modernizing the infrastructure standards that affect infill development. This work has relied on steady collaboration between EPCOR, the City of Edmonton, industry partners, and the many people working directly on infill projects.
For IDEA, this began in 2018 when a member brought forward a missing middle project facing a $750,000 hydrant and waterline requirement. That experience led to early workshops with EPCOR and City staff, and it marked the start of a multi-year effort to better align infrastructure standards and processes with the realities of infill development in mature neighbourhoods.
Since then, IDEA volunteers and members have contributed to the Infill Working Committee, the Pilot Infill Cost Share Program, industry education efforts, and the technical working groups involved in modernizing Edmonton’s water and drainage standards. Throughout this work, EPCOR and City teams have offered expertise, data, and meaningful collaboration that helped these improvements take shape.
The timeline above reflects the collective work behind these changes, and it also demonstrates the role that informed, engaged IDEA members can play in shaping practical, lasting solutions for infill development.
Breakdown of the timeline:
Spring 2018: An IDEA member raises an infrastructure cost issue -- a $750,000 hydrant and waterline extension for a missing middle project -- which led to its cancellation and revealed the need for infrastructure standards better suited to infill development.
June 2018: IDEA raises the issue with City Council, leading to direction for IDEA, the City, and EPCOR to work together to address infrastructure challenges affecting missing middle infill.
2018: IDEA and the City hold workshops with EPCOR to explore a fair, predictable approach to infill fire protection cost-sharing.
2019: IDEA forms an Infrastructure Committee to coordinate efforts on water, power, and cost issues.
2019-2020: IDEA, the City, and EPCOR establish the Infill Working Committee to advance a fair cost-share framework.
For Fall 2020 to Spring 2021: Building on years of advocacy, IDEA works with the City of Edmonton, EPCOR, and industry partners to launch the Pilot Infill Cost Share Program for missing middle projects, while also identifying that existing infrastructure standards were outdated and overly conservative — setting the stage for modernization.
Summer 2021: EPCOR allocates $20.2 million to extend the cost-share approach for infill infrastructure upgrades through 2026.
August 2020 to Sept 2021: IDEA hosts a four-part webinar series for members focused on infrastructure topics, including water, power, and sewage systems.
2022–2024: IDEA works with EPCOR and the City through technical working groups and the Infill Working Committee to modernize water and drainage standards and provide industry feedback on the Infill Fire Protection Cost Share Program.
Fall 2022: At its annual Infill Symposium, IDEA brings industry, City, and EPCOR representatives together to discuss infrastructure solutions, cost-sharing, and evolving standards for infill.
March 2022 – “How Fire Engineering is Shaping Our City” IDEA releases a podcast on how fire engineering has shaped current infrastructure standards and where change is needed.
Feb 2023 - “Breaking Down Utility Myths” IDEA explores utility systems in a podcast clarifying how water and power are regulated, funded, and delivered and how this affects construction.
Nov 2023 - “Engineering Tomorrow’s Urban Landscape” IDEA’s podcast examines infrastructure challenges and innovations in infill development, connecting topics like zoning bylaw renewal, fire protection, and new technologies.
2024: EPCOR publishes the updated Design and Construction Standards (Volumes 3 and 4) as the result of years of collaborative efforts.
2025: Modernization delivers savings and efficiencies for infill projects!
We are grateful to EPCOR, the City of Edmonton, our industry colleagues, and IDEA members for their ongoing engagement and contributions. This kind of progress happens when people show up, share knowledge, and work together toward better outcomes for the entire city!
If you’re interested in being part of this work, we welcome you to connect with us and consider joining IDEA!