CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JUNE 13.

The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation says the launch of its multi-million-dollar plant renewal project was its most significant event in 2022 because of how important the upgrade is to securing the region’s future water supply.

The corporation awarded the $325-million project to the Graham Construction-AECON Joint Venture Team in May, which began construction in June, while the corporation held a ground-breaking ceremony in July, the organization’s 2022 annual report said.

Furthermore, the corporation accelerated the installation of the 2.2-megawatt solar generation project in 2022 and expected to complete it by late 2023. It planned to use solar power to supplement the water treatment plant’s (WTP) utility power and reduce the complex’s carbon footprint.

The organization expects to complete and commission the project in 2025.

Ryan Johnson, president/CEO of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation, presented the annual report during city council’s May 23 regular meeting.

Council comments

“It’s really great to see that this project (is) about 25-per-cent complete,” said Coun. Crystal Froese, who wondered how many workers would be on site at construction’s peak.

There will be 220 workers at peak work — last month there were 180 labourers — although that will fluctuate depending upon what’s happening, said Johnson. The project is currently facing a time crunch since the more advanced systems need to be operational to handle sum-