The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant’s plant renewal project is making significant strides, according to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation’s semi-annual report to City Council on Monday night.  

The project is currently in the design stage as General Manager Ryan Johnson explains. 

“For the plant renewal project, the design has progressed very well and is at the 70 per cent completion stage. As the design advanced, value engineering sessions occurred to reduce the project's cost. As of Aug. 21, the project remains under budget,” Johnson said. 

In preparation for the project, the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation had to add a capital project to the 2022 budget.  

Starting in 2022, the water treatment plant will need to de-sludge all of its lagoons. 

“Typically, we do one to two lagoons a year. Because of the project, we have to empty all the lagoons in preparation for the work. We have to do all six, so this will be a significant amount of sludge,” Johnson explained.  

“We anticipate it will be de-sludged in 2022, taken to Moose Jaw’s landfill in ’23, possibly ’24 if we get another drying season.” 

Meanwhile, the water treatment plant's 2022 operating budget is expected to stay status quo with no rate increases except for increases to keep up with inflation. 

Revenue in 2021 was slightly over budget for the water treatment plant. Relatively dry weather with higher-than-normal temperatures did increase water sales over the past year. 

The revenue is estimated at $13.37 million by year-end and $370,000 over budget. Expenditures are estimated at $12.98 million by year-end, $10,000 under budget.  

The current operating reserve has $2 million which is meant as a cushion for years when water sales are down or an anticipated cost exceeds the budget. In 2022, the operating budget is expected to have a deficit of $190,000 which will be covered by the reserve.