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Regionalization trend continues with SaskWater

In March SaskWater commissioned new Melville Regional Water Supply System
water

Regina – SaskWater tabled its 2019-20 Annual Report on July 7, which highlighted the completion of a regional water system for Melville and taking over Meadow Lake’s system.

“2020 was a strong year for this Crown corporation.” Minister Responsible for SaskWater Bronwyn Eyre said.  “Its success is part of an overriding commitment, by our government and Crown corporations, to the people and businesses of Saskatchewan to foster economic growth and build strong communities.”

SaskWater generated total earnings of $8.5 million in 2019-20, outpacing earnings in previous years.  The Crown corporation paid a dividend of $4.17 million to the province.

In March, 2020, SaskWater commissioned the new Melville Regional Water Supply System.  Eyre said, “Melville was an important milestone for the crown Corporation. It commissioned the new regional water supply system there. It has a new water treatment plant, supply wells, well control building and water supply pipeline.

She added it provides a good, safe, sustainable water supply for Melville and area.

This infrastructure was funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.

In 2020 SaskWater executed a significant purchase agreement with the City of Meadow Lake for its water treatment plant, together with a 30-year water supply agreement.  The corporation took over operation of the system in January, 2020.  Meadow Lake is the sixth city to be served by SaskWater.

These two projects represent a significant portion of the $24.4 million that SaskWater invested in capital projects in 2019-20.

The corporation also completed the design work for an $8.47 million upgrade to the City of Melfort’s regional water treatment plant and a $3.6 million sewage lagoon expansion in Pierceland, both of which are currently under construction.  These projects are receiving funding from the New Building Canada Fund, a cost-sharing program that provides both provincial and federal funding.

Asked if regional systems are a trend for SaskWater, Eyre said, “I think SaskWater is looking certainly at regionalization as a model. And I think one of the points made to me in conversation over the last few months was that having good water, like a regional water system, is good for the economy. It's good for attracting people to areas. It's good for growth, and, of course, that makes complete eminent sense.”

She expects more emphasis on regionalization and do a maximising regional models. “I think that’s a really positive thing for growth and local economies, to make sure that the water is good and sustainable and safe.”