AGREEMENT REACHED ON FORT QU'APPELLE WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

SaskWater today announced it has reached an agreement with the Town of Fort Qu'Appelle to replace the community's aging and overburdened wastewater management system. Major construction will begin next spring with the new system expected to be operational by the end of 2006.

This project will have a positive impact on the environment. "SaskWater sees significant potential in Saskatchewan for future investment in sustainable wastewater systems," Minister responsible for SaskWater Peter Prebble said. "Our approach for Fort Qu'Appelle is a zero discharge solution which removes wastewater from the valley and places it in an area where the effluent will evaporate."

The wastewater will be collected at the current townsite, receive initial treatment at a holding pond, and will then be transferred by pipeline out of the valley to a primary treatment cell about four kilometers north of Fort Qu'Appelle. A pump station will be constructed to lift the wastewater to this cell. After chemical treatment, the wastewater will eventually be placed in an evaporative cell, where it will evaporate into the atmosphere.

"The project is welcome news for the community as its current system is reaching the end of its life expectancy," Fort Qu'Appelle Major Ron Osika said. "Instead of the town making the necessary investments in infrastructure, SaskWater will be assuming that responsibility. The agreement also relieves the town of many of the liability issues associated with operating a wastewater management system. This is especially important since water is becoming an increasingly challenging and highly regulated environment."

Construction tenders will be issued early next spring at which time the specific costs will be known. The project is receiving assistance with a $1.6 million grant from the Canada Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program.

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For More Information, Contact:

Felechia Brodie SaskWater Moose Jaw Phone: (306) 694-3009