The city is considering advancing $3 million from the 2024-2027 capital expenditures program to install a UV light interim treatment system at the Selkirk water treatment plant. 

A proposed budget amendment was brought before council last Tuesday evening.

“The city began exclusively using the wells in 2010 for drinking water, the data then indicated that the wells under the direct influence of surface water or (non-GUDI) is the acronym,” said Craig Van Lankveld, the city’s water and waste services manager. 

In the past few years, he added, the data have shown more changes in the water quality, including higher pH levels, higher concentrations of iron and manganese, higher micro particulates, and variations in groundwater level, temperature, and conductivity. 

In response to these findings, the city has initiated the plant upgrade project. 

Council approved the procurement to commence phase one, the design of the plant upgrades. Administration has completed the procurement and entered into a progressive design-build agreement for the completion of phase one. 

During the past few years, Van Lankveld said, the city has observed changes in the groundwater chemistry pulled from the aquifer. This is attributed to the GUDI conditions of the wells and exacerbated by a significant increase in daily demand due to population growth.

In 2014, the average daily demand was 9,000 to 11,000 cubic metres, whereas today it’s 16,000 to 18,000 cubic metres.

Administration is recommending the acceleration of an interim ultraviolet (UV) light solution. This will provide additional protection until the remaining portion of the project can be completed.

The anticipated cost of the UV light interim improvement project is $3 million. Funding is available from the Canada Community Building Fund. It’s anticipated that by increasing the cost of phase one of the project by $3 million, phase two of the project would be reduced by the same amount.

The current solution serves as a bridge to catch up with the water standard set by the environment services branch of the territorial government. 

The team doesn’t have a schedule in place since members are still working with the design build team looking for a way to have the system in place. 

Coun. Kirk Cameron has raised safety concerns about what could happen prior to the UV system being in place to make sure the water can meet the drinking water standard. 

Van Lankveld said they do have multiple options. When a problem occurs, the city could issue boil water orders and use a series of different wells. 

“We can take some out of service while putting others in service,” he said. 

The city will bring back the subject for further discussion this evening.