Buffalo Pound Water - Plant Renewal Project

in progress

The Buffalo Pound Water Plant Renewal Project will ensure the long-term viability of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant (the plant) by renewing the plant and increasing the capacity from 205 ML/day to 250 ML/day to meet the needs of the region’s forecasted potable water demands in 2050. The plant was commissioned in 1955 and supplies potable water to the Cities of Regina, Moose Jaw, and communities in the region of over 260,000 people as well as to SaskWater. Over the years, the plant has been upgraded and expanded with the most significant work done between 1985 and in 1989. The majority of the Water Treatment Plant has not been upgraded since that period of time. The only notable exceptions are the raw water intake and pipeline added in 2001, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection was added in 2017, backup power and electrical upgrades are currently under construction. The plant is at or near the end of its useful life. The project scope of work includes: • upgrades to the treatment process, and water treatment building; • upgrades to three clear wells; • decommissioning and repurposing of the regeneration building; • upgrades to the process waste freeze/thaw ponds; • construction of two new freeze/thaw ponds; • replacement and improvement of local and transmission piping; and • other structural, electrical, mechanical, piping, and associated works. The project will increase access to potable water for many communities and will result in a facility that meets or exceeds provincial drinking water standards. As a result of the upgrades, the capacity for the facility to treat wastewater runoff will also be increased. The project is supported by the City of Regina, City of Moose Jaw and SaskWater as well as numerous customers within the region who obtain water originating from the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant.