SASKWATER MARKS SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR WITH STAR CITY EVENT

SaskWater hosted an event today in Star City to welcome area residents as the corporations' newest customers and to mark culmination of a successful year.

SaskWater began delivering high quality treated water to Star City and Star City colony this past December following a SaskWater investment of about $1.8 million to expand the corporation's water supply system in the region. SaskWater also provides operation and maintenance to Star City for its distribution and wastewater system.

"SaskWater now has about $29M invested in water infrastructure in the region around Melfort and provides superior drinking water to six communities and numerous nearby rural households," Minister Responsible for SaskWater Peter Prebble said. "When the government implemented its Drinking Water Strategy in April 2002, it called on SaskWater to provide solutions to municipalities. I am pleased to see our Crown utility delivering high quality water in a cost effective way to a growing number of communities. In total SaskWater now delivers treated water to about 35,000 residents of our province."

Lorne Campbell, Star City's Mayor, says local residents are very happy with the new service. "Our water is 100 per cent better than it was. Having SaskWater as our partner is really making a difference to our community."

SaskWater draws water from Codette Lake on the North Saskatchewan River, treats it at the company's plant at Melfort and pipes it east to Star City and Star City Colony and west to Melfort, Beatty, Weldon and Kinistino. The system has additional capacity and SaskWater looks forward to serving more customers including rural households and industry.

Other new water supply customers in 2003 include White City and Cudworth.

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For More Information, Contact:

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