SASKWATER EXPERIENCES SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN 2004

SaskWater continued to grow in 2004, providing more people and communities in Saskatchewan with safe and reliable water services.

"In 2004, SaskWater expanded its municipal customer base and enhanced its services with further implementation of 24-hour-a-day water quality monitoring in its facilities," Minister responsible for SaskWater Peter Prebble said.

Despite a decrease in water sales due to last summer's cool, wet weather, revenues at SaskWater increased by $700,000 over the previous year, resulting in a decrease in the net loss from $2.3 million in 2003 to $1.5 million in 2004.

The corporation's annual report, tabled today, indicated that SaskWater had operating revenues of $16.74 million in 2004, a five per cent increase over 2003 at $16 million. Operating expenses were held at 2003 levels of $18.7 million.

In 2004 SaskWater continued to make significant investments in rural Saskatchewan. Over $3.2 million was spent to expand regional water systems and improve water supply systems.

SaskWater has also seen strong results in the area of operation and maintenance contracts with Saskatchewan municipalities. That line of business was added to the corporation's mandate in 2002.

"By partnering with SaskWater, Saskatchewan communities are able to take advantage of the economies of scale and the health benefits of accessing SaskWater's regional water supply," Prebble said. "They also benefit from the years of experience offered by SaskWater staff and the corporation's reputation for being on the cutting edge of new technology, operating standards and methods of practice."

"SaskWater will continue to foster a regional and co-operative approach to service delivery as a way of providing communities access to good quality water at affordable rates," Prebble said.

As part of the province's Safe Drinking Water Strategy, SaskWater undertook a major initiative last year in partnership with the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and Consulting Engineers of Saskatchewan. The Water Regulations, 2002 require operators of permitted water systems to provide a detailed waterworks system assessment to Saskatchewan Environment before the end of 2005.

"The program that SaskWater and SUMA developed, along with CES, helps SUMA members meet provincial regulations on time and as affordably as possible," Prebble said. "In 2004, 169 communities had their water systems assessed and the corporation expects to tender a similar number of assessments in 2005."

SaskWater's customers include 49 municipalities, 37 industrial customers, and 42 public water boards, user groups, co-operatives and pipeline associations. SaskWater also provides certified operations and maintenance for customer-owned water and wastewater systems, program management of the Northern Water and Sewer Program in the Northern Administration District, and operator training and support for 54 First Nations.

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For More Information, Contact:

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