The City of Whitehorse has committed the funds needed for a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Selkirk water treatment plant in Riverdale.

The work now underway will include installing an ultra-violet (UV) treatment system to deal with the significant changes in water quality.

Data collected over the past few years have found changes such as higher pH levels, higher concentrations of iron and manganese, higher micro particulates, and variations in groundwater level, temperature, and conductivity. 

The budget amendment for the project passed third reading and was adopted during Monday evening’s council meeting. 

First raised at council’s July 8 meeting, the amendment calls for increasing the 2024 capital budget by $3 million for the UV upgrade, while decreasing the 2025 provisional budget by the same amount.

During the meeting, an update was provided to councillors. 

“Currently, the project is progressing along on schedule,” said Tracey Allen, the city’s infrastructure and operations director. 

The schematic layout of the UV system will be installed over the next week, she said. The city will continue to look for more opportunities to gather funding from other levels of government.  

The upgrades project’s total budget is $55 million. A “Progressive Design-Build approach” is being used that ensures early collaboration with the design and construction teams to better manage cost and scope while reducing project risks before final pricing is fixed, according to the city.