New facility may be key to boosting Saskatoon's water treatment capacity
Saskatoon's environment committee is set to consider how to increase the city's water treatment capacity — which may include a new facility.
"As the City of Saskatoon and surrounding region continue to grow, a strategy is required to increase the water treatment capacity to 450 million litres per day, which will provide safe and reliable drinking water for approximately 500,000 people," an administration report says.
The current plant has a treatment capacity of about 250 million litres per day.
The administration says the highest-ranking strategy would focus on improving reliability at the existing plant and the staged development of a second one.
If approved, the administration would, over the next two years, explore funding opportunities with federal and provincial programs; work with the Water Security Agency on construction permitting and operational requirements; evaluate distribution and reservoir storage requirements; and plan a contracting strategy.
The report says per capita water consumption has dropped over the past 10 years due in part to an inclining-block rate structure for residential properties, but that's being offset by growing commercial water demand, including food industries.
“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,” Pamela Hamoline, interim director of Saskatoon Water, said in a news release.
The committee is scheduled to meet Monday.
Correction
A previous version of this story incorrectly referenced the city's wastewater treatment plant, rather than the water treatment plant.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.