Water plant gains more accolades

Recognition for Yorkton's Logan Green Water Management System continues.

Earlier this year the project received recognition from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Then in the beginning of May it was announced the project was the recipient of the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Saskatchewan "Environmental Excellence Award".

The city of Yorkton and the engineering team have been selected in recognition of the Yorkton Water Treatment Plant and the Green Water Management System Project. This award was founded in 2005 and recognizes exceptional achievements by an individual or team in the application of engineering, geological and/or geophysical methods related to environmental protection and preservation.

And most recently (May 29) the City of Yorkton received national recognition for the Logan Green Water Management System from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA).

Yorkton was presented with the 2013 Willis Award for Innovation, in the less than 20,000 population category, during CAMA's national conference in Victoria, BC. Ravenhill Group Inc. is the presenting sponsor for CAMA's Awards of Excellence.

"CAMA is pleased to recognize the innovation and administrative excellence demonstrated by the City of Yorkton in developing one of the greenest water treatment plants in Canada," said Ron Shaw, president of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators and Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Stratford, ON in a prepared release. "It provides improved water quality, substantial green space and new sport fields, while responding to the demands of a growing community."

Michael Buchholzer, director of Environmental Services with the City said he knew the approach they took with the water treatment project was different than most.

"I knew this was pretty unique from a design concept," he said.

The design made use of elements of the actual water treatment plant development to enhance other things for the community.

As an example the mound of dirt from the plant excavation went into creating soccer fields, said Buchholzer.

And instead of building a lift station to deal with backwater wash discharge, holding ponds were created, one which will become a fish pond.

"Not only were we saving the community money we were creating something unique for the city," said Buchholzer.

The Water Treatment Plant incorporates the latest technology, plus innovative, green ways to handle backwash water from regular flushing of the filter system. Instead of backwash water being flushed into the sewage system for treatment, it moves through a series of settling ponds and natural wetlands to purify it, before gradually recharging the natural aquifer.

The plant is currently producing 1,100 cubic meters (1.1 million litres) of backwash water a day, with a maximum capacity 22,000 cubic meters (22 million litres) of water per day. By using this process, some $3 million was saved on infrastructure costs and Yorkton expects to save $6.3 million in treatment costs over the life of the plant.

When completed, the site will also include substantial green space for public enjoyment and six new multi-purpose sports fields. This new facility cost $33 million to construct and involved widespread stakeholder and community consultation and cooperation in planning and financing. Funding came from the Government of Canada, Province of Saskatchewan and City of Yorkton.

The Willis Award for Innovation, awarded in recognition of Jack Willis for his contribution to CAMA, is presented for programs, projects or services that demonstrate exceptional innovation or meritorious initiative. Because Canada has a unique mixture of small and large communities, awards are granted according to population - for municipalities under 20,000, for those between 20,001 and 100,000 and for those over 100,000. Certificates of Merit may also be awarded.

A Canada-wide network and the national voice of senior municipal administrators, the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) strives to nurture and build municipal administrative excellence by providing its more than 500 members with knowledge sharing and learning opportunities, access to best practices, and valued input into policies and programs aimed at ensuring healthy and thriving communities across Canada. www.camacam.ca