(submitted photo/City of Meadow Lake)

By Nicole Reis

SaskWater partnership

SaskWater assuming water services in Meadow Lake

Nov 28, 2019 | 1:16 PM

The City of Meadow Lake has kicked off a new era in water services with the finalization of its partnership with SaskWater.

SaskWater and the City of Meadow Lake have signed a water supply agreement that includes the sale of the city’s water treatment plant to the Crown corporation.

Jessica Walters, acting city manager said the city faced challenges finding qualified staff to handle the city’s water treatment processes.

“Because of the raw water quality, our water needs to go through a number of treatment process which requires a pretty high level of training. With SaskWater’s expertise, we are guaranteed to have qualified people looking after our water treatment,” Walters said.

“We will also have access to more resources if we run into new challenges like the algae growth we saw in summer 2018 which lead to us having an extended precautionary drinking advisory.”

Crime

Pierceland RCMP arrest man wanted on firearm, weapons charges

15h ago

HIGHWAY HOTLINE

Highway updates: Snowy conditions and reduced visibility across N.B. and M.L roads

17h ago

Door of Hope party

Door of Hope to bring good cheer

Dec 18, 2024

“We are confident that SaskWater’s experience will benefit the city and ensure a safe, dependable water supply for our citizens,” Mayor Merlin Seymour said. “This partnership provides a long-term solution to many of the city’s water supply challenges.”

SaskWater will become the owner and operator of the Meadow Lake water treatment plant, its reservoirs and non-potable water supply as of January 1, 2020.

Walters added the city has been working on a water rate increase plan over the last five years to work on cost recovery because water rates have been historically subsidized by not fully accounting for all of the costs associated with water treatment.

“This agreement includes a seven-year rate transition plan with SaskWater to help mitigate some of the impact of those rate increases. Water rates are still set by councils policies anyway. Council can choose to set water rates however they want, they just need to come up with a balanced budget overall,” she said.

“Council stated at this point that they plan to minimize the impact to residents as much as possible and that this relationship with SaskWater will be in the long term best interests of Meadow Lake residents.”

In addition, SaskWater will provide certified operating services related to the distribution system and wastewater collection. The city will retain ownership of its municipal water distribution network and wastewater infrastructure.

“Meadow Lake officials have worked diligently, in consultation with their residents, to ensure the best quality of water services continue to be offered in their city,” SaskWater President Doug Matthies said.

“SaskWater is honoured to be the city’s provider of choice, delivering the expertise and resources required to achieve this standard. We look forward to putting our skills and knowledge to work for the City of Meadow Lake and building on the valuable partnership that has been established between us.”

“This partnership further supports the growing community of Meadow Lake,” Trade and Export Development Minister and Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison said. “The City of Meadow Lake is to be commended for its willingness to work with SaskWater, which will help further sustain and grow our community for years to come.”

Planning is underway to transition the existing water treatment plant employees to SaskWater.

The corporation will provide ongoing staffing support to the water treatment plant through its network of relief operators and its remote monitoring services, available 24/7 in all SaskWater facilities.

—

nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

@nicolereis7722