The City of Estevan is looking to set up a new water fill station to help divert traffic from a bridge that needs repairs.
The R.M. of Estevan has proposed a plan to repair the bridge on the west side of the city's water treatment plant, but for now, they've requested the city to move the potable water fill station to a different location.
The city administration has looked at alternate locations that would have limited negative impact to residences, businesses, or city operations taking into consideration increased traffic, large demand for water in a single location, and pressure drop when trucks are filling.
In the end, they looked towards the Highway 18 lift station, currently accessed on a service road.
The report described some of the reasons they picked that spot:
- The roadway is already constructed for heavy traffic with the ability to easily construct a turnaround area.
- The hydrant leads off the Wellock fill line to eliminate pressure drops within the city when the station is in use.
- Using the hydrant lead during construction there means would be no need to disturb or tap onto the main fill line, lowering installation costs.
The city would need to construct a building with footings and new electrical service would need to be constructed as well as the removal of the current hydrant and installation of new piping. The city would then be able to transfer all the controls of the current fill station to the new location.
To complete all the proposed work, a budget of $50,000 was recommended by the report.
During the council meeting Water and Wastewater Services Manager Matt Angell was there to give any more information council members asked for.
He stated that they had settled on two designs - one building which would take a month to build, and another pre-built model which would take around two weeks to get into place.
During the meeting, Councilor Kirsten Walliser asked what effect this would have if the decision were pushed past the November budget, which would be decided on by the next council.
Mayor Roy Ludwig stated that would likely push the project back to next year, with funding to be set aside for this project to be completed.
Councilor Anthony Sernick chimed in saying that the water fill station does have a charge, meaning that the $50,000 would eventually be made up by the station.
The council passed the motion to give the $50,000, with only Councilor Walliser being opposed.