WINNIPEG - March 18, 2010 - As he raised a glass of crystal clear tap water, Mayor Sam Katz today toasted the official opening of a facility that took 10 years to plan and design and four years to construct – the City’s new drinking water treatment plant.

Located at the Deacon Reservoir just east of Winnipeg, the drinking water treatment plant is the largest infrastructure project the Water and Waste Department has undertaken since the aqueduct was constructed 90 years ago.

“Since December 2009, thanks to this new state-of-the-art drinking water treatment plant, Winnipeg homes and businesses have been tapped into treated water that meets and exceeds the guidelines set out by Health Canada,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “As Mayor, I am very proud that our tap water is at its highest quality level ever.”

Treated water began making its way through the network of water mains into Winnipeg homes and businesses last December. With the initial operating phase completed, the plant is now considered officially opened.

The city’s drinking water is very affordable at less than an eighth of a penny per litre, and is now of a higher quality than the drinking water guidelines set out by Health Canada.

Here are some facts about the new plant:

• In addition to improved drinking water safety, residents can expect their tap water to be clearer and smell and taste better all year. The taste and odour episodes experienced in past summers due to algae growth should be markedly reduced.
• The new plant is approximately 12,000 square metres in size (about the footprint of MTS Centre) and is highly automated.
• Our water continues to be very affordable at an eighth of a penny per litre.
• With normal upkeep and maintenance, the plant is expected to last about 75 years, is capable of treating 400 million litres of water per day and will meet current and anticipated drinking water quality guidelines.

Background:

In November 2000, City Council approved a water treatment program aimed at protecting against waterborne parasites, meeting Canadian drinking water quality guidelines and reducing disinfection by-products.

A Water Treatment Reserve Fund was set up to help pay for the water treatment program. The Reserve, funded through water rates from 1993 to 2007, contributed $133 million towards the total program. The remaining portion is financed through long-term debt.

Winnipeggers pay $1.29 per thousand litres for water with the money going towards building and operating the plant as well as all other costs associated with delivery of safe reliable drinking water, such as water main renewals and repairs, fire hydrant maintenance, water storage and pumping, and water quality testing.

More information on the water treatment plant, including a description of the treatment processes, is available at winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste

WINNIPEG - March 18, 2010 - Earlier today, the Province issued its first operational flood forecast for 2010. The unseasonably mild weather of the past 10 days has melted most of the snow pack in the Red River valley and caused river levels to rise much sooner than normal.

The Province is predicting that river levels in the city could range between 18.5 and 19.5 feet James (James Avenue Datum) by April 7, 2010, as a result of US flood peak passing through. A level of 19.5 feet James is comparable to the summer flood of 2005 and the spring flood of 2006. There is the potential for river levels to reach 20.5 feet if significant adverse weather conditions develop (e.g., a major rainstorm). These types of weather systems have long lead times and the City would have adequate notice to respond.

For this year’s predicted peak of 19.5 feet James, approximately 25 properties will need protection and an estimated 35,000 bags will be required. Starting tomorrow, City survey crews will be out notifying homeowners and setting dike elevations. The City will be starting up two sandbag machines on Monday and expects to begin delivering sandbags to property owners by the middle of next week.

It is not expected that ice will be a problem this year as it was last year. Ice thickness measurements late last week indicate the ice is not as thick as last year and the warm weather of the past 10 days has started to thin and soften the ice. Typically, in the spring, ice clears out of the city first prior to operation of the floodway.

For this year’s flood, the City will be activating 26 of its permanent flood pumping stations, placing 26 temporary pumps and undertaking 195 sewer control activities to isolate the rivers from our sewer system.

Residents who live along the river should move or secure any structures or equipment near the water’s edge, such as docks, sheds, gazebos, irrigation pumps, and recreational equipment. The rising river level will affect each property owner differently.

In addition, especially when river levels are high, it is important for homeowners to check their sump pumps and backwater valves regularly. Property owners are reminded it is against the law to discharge their sump pumps into the basement floor drain or any other part of the house plumbing system, as it can overtax the sewer system placing their basement and those of their neighbours at risk of flooding and damage.