A 4-million litre reservoir expansion is now up and running at the Pembina Valley Water Co-op's (PVWC) Letellier treatment plant, and members and other dignitaries were recently given a behind-the-scenes look at the finished product.
"There's been a lot of effort that's been put in from everyone in the company - our engineering staff all the way through our operators at the plant, who've probably been the most inconvenienced by the construction - they are obviously excited to have this storage up-and-running," said Matt Jones, Director of operations and engineering for the PVWC.
The massive undertaking increases potable water storage at the plant to 6-million litres in total.
"What that's really going to do is help us buffer out peak flows and some of the seasonal demands that we see. It's really going to give some flexibility in running the plant," explained Jones.
He added, the project's completion is just phase 1 in a plan to, ultimately, increase the plant's water treatment capacity as well.
On top of the reservoir, is a building that will allow for a membrane plant to be installed in the future and, according to Jones, the detailed engineering process on that work is just getting started.
In August, all 14 of the Co-op's member municipalities agreed to a landmark deal requiring them to put forward some extra cash in order to get going on an aggressive capital infrastructure program at the Letellier plant.
Despite these strides in meeting the ever-growing demand for potable water in the region, CEO Dale Toews, says the issue of a reliable water source remains top of mind. Currently, the Letellier and Morris plants drawn from the Red River, which has proven susceptible to drought in the past.
"This is something we continue to bring to the province, to raise the level of urgency when it comes to drought protection and source water reliability. We need the province to work with us in this regard," said Toews.
Gallery photos supplied by PVWC
