City exploring second Water Treatment Plant to serve future population

The City of Saskatoon has a responsibility to provide clean drinking water to a growing population through an efficient and reliable water treatment and distribution system. Since it was established in 1906, Saskatoon’s Water Treatment Plant has been expanded to a treatment capacity of 250 million litres per day (MLD). The plant, along with reservoirs and pump stations, serve the city and several surrounding municipal and rural customers.

“We will continue to utilize and upgrade our current Water Treatment Plant and infrastructure for years to come, but we need to begin planning the development of a second plant to increase treatment capacity,” says Pamela Hamoline, Interim Director of Saskatoon Water. “A second plant would eventually bring our total treatment capacity to 450 ML per day, which is necessary for an expected population of 500,000 in the coming years.”

On Monday, the Water Treatment Long Term Capital Strategy will go before the City’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services. The report highlights the current and future steps needed to increase treatment capacity.

“Despite many successful water conservation efforts, as well as maintenance and upgrades over the years, it is unrealistic to depend on our 116-year-old Water Treatment Plant to keep up with future demand,” says Hamoline.

Hamoline says an internal Decision Quality Team is committed to ensuring the alignment of the City’s Strategic Goals in determining a treatment plant expansion strategy, including the goal of Environmental Leadership to reduce the City’s environmental footprint and promoting responsible use of resources.

“The team still has a lot of work to do and is currently exploring funding strategies so it can report the findings to City Council. That work will include looking into opportunities and partnerships with Federal and Provincial funding programs.”

The City has a draft Engagement Plan in the works as well, focusing on identifying major stakeholders and opportunities for proactive public communication.

For more information about the Water Treatment Plant, history, distribution system, and treatment process, visit saskatoon.ca/water.