In 2016, when the City of Melville determined that it was time to replace their nearly 60-year-old water treatment plant (WTP), they came to the experts. SaskWater presented a proposal for a new system, including a new WTP, supply wells, and connecting pipeline. When the City accepted and signed the agreement, SaskWater purchased the existing WTP and took over operation of the system while the new facility was under development.
“We’ve got a beautiful facility with the ability to meet our long-term objectives.”
SaskWater’s plan covered more than a new WTP. The design for the new system also included the development of two wells, a well control building, and 30 kilometres of pipeline connecting the wells to the WTP site. The plan also included maintenance and upgrades on the system’s two existing wells and improvements to the wastewater system, all of which tie into the new supply system. The innovative project was partially funded by provincial and federal grant funding through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
From agreement to operation, the development of the Melville Regional Potable Water Supply System took just under four years. The new WTP began operation on March 13, 2020, and a few months later on July 17, 2020, the old plant was demolished after being safely decommissioned. Everyone who worked on the project was very pleased with the collaborative process and the end result.
“We’ve got a beautiful facility with the ability to meet our long-term objectives,” explained Rynette Moore-Guillaume, SaskWater Director, Operations.
Walter Streelasky, Mayor of Melville, agreed. “Our city and our regional participants will now be provided with quality water for many years to come. We are grateful for the financial support provided by the federal and provincial governments. The combined efforts and support will serve to enhance Melville’s ability to grow and prosper well into the future.”
The new system represents significant improvements in efficiency, reliability and longevity, and it ensures impeccable quality of drinking water for approximately 6,000 residents of Melville and the surrounding area.
The overall treatment process has been streamlined with added automation. The old plant was fed by a mix of groundwater and surface water, which contains more minerals, and provides more process challenges. The new plant relies solely on groundwater and uses gravity filters and reverse osmosis membranes. As the reverse osmosis process strips the minerals, the final step of the process blends a measured amount of filtered treated water from earlier in the process with the reverse osmosis-treated water to reduce corrosiveness and provide more softness in the water.
“These are all top-notch, state of the art components and it’s been a real plus for our operators to work with that type of equipment,” said Moore-Guillaume.
