VANSCOY SELECTS SASKWATER AS FULL SERVICE PROVIDER

SaskWater hosted an event today in Vanscoy to introduce residents to the new level of service provided by the Crown water utility.

Vanscoy has been a SaskWater water supply customer since 1978, with SaskWater piping untreated water 25 kms from the South Saskatchewan River to the town's water treatment plant. Now, SaskWater will provide certified Operation and Maintenance (O & M) of the town's water treatment plant and the distribution and wastewater systems.

Vanscoy was also a customer of the Water System Assessment Program (WSA), managed by SaskWater, on behalf of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA). The WSA Program assists communities in completing the assessment of their waterworks infrastructure required by December 2005 as part of new drinking water regulations established by Saskatchewan Environment.

"When the government implemented its Drinking Water Strategy in April 2002, it called on SaskWater to provide solutions to municipalities," Minister responsible for SaskWater Peter Prebble said. "I am pleased to see our Crown water utility delivering high quality water in a cost-effective way to a growing number of communities in rural Saskatchewan. In total, SaskWater now provides water supply to 48 communities. A number of customers have chosen SaskWater as their certified operator as well."

Keith Lensen, Vanscoy's Mayor, says a number of things led the town to select a SaskWater solution. "We anticipate having trouble attracting and retaining a certified operator and SaskWater can provide certified operation to meet the coming regulatory requirements," Lensen said. "SaskWater also has expertise in treating surface water which can be a challenge. We need that. And we have a long-standing relationship with SaskWater. Adding another level of service seems like a natural evolution of the relationship."

SaskWater is the Crown water utility and a Total Quality Water Management company. The corporation provides competitively-priced, customer-focussed, water and wastewater services to Saskatchewan industries, municipalities and rural water groups.

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For More Information, Contact:

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