SASKWATER MAKES $1.2 MILLION INVESTMENT IN ST. LOUIS

After spending the winter under a precautionary boil water advisory, the village of St. Louis, which is located about 30 kilometres south of Prince Albert, is now enjoying quality drinking water thanks to a $1.2 million expansion of SaskWater's regional water system.

"The expansion of this regional pipeline system to St. Louis provides local residents with safe drinking water," Minister responsible for SaskWater Peter Prebble said. "In fact water quality will significantly exceed regulatory requirements better positioning St. Louis for long term growth.

With the addition of St. Louis, the Saskatchewan government's regional pipeline in the Wakaw-Humboldt area is able to meet the needs of more than 10,000 Saskatchewan residents."

The South Saskatchewan River supplies the water which is treated at the SaskWater Treatment Plant in Wakaw. The water is distributed to homes, farms and businesses in 11 communities. To expand the system to St. Louis, SaskWater installed 3.3 km of twinned pipeline from its treatment plant to the Wakaw water pipeline connection, constructed a new booster station west of Domremy and installed another 14.2 km of pipeline to St. Louis. Construction began last fall and residents began turning the taps on a high quality water supply in late March.

The village of St. Louis invested more than $175,000 toward the project, which allows the community to offer residents the same water rate as other SaskWater customers on this system.

"SaskWater provided a cost-effective alternative to having to invest in a new water treatment plant," St. Louis Mayor Emile Lussier said. "They have been excellent to work with and our community can now enjoy peace of mind knowing that our water quality needs are being met."

During the 11-month boil water advisory period, SaskWater sponsored a bottled water program in the community that served the school, senior's centre and care home.

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For More Information, Contact:

Felechia Brodie SaskWater Moose Jaw Phone: (306) 694-3940 Cell: (306) 539-9707