Construction Begins on the New Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant - CTV Regina
The mayors of Regina and Moose Jaw joined other dignitaries at the sod turning for a renewed water treatment plant. It will meet the needs of the two growing communities for the next 25 years.
“Southern Saskatchewan is growing again and you know this plant has been amazing,” said Thunder Creek MLA, Lyle Stewart.
The two cities signed a $325 million construction contract this spring which is about 30% more than last years cost estimate. Inflation, COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine are being blamed for escalating construction costs.
“Better do it now because if we wait another couple years it’s going to even go up more,” Mayor of Moose Jaw Clive Tolley said.
Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant Renewal Project Officially Underway - Global Regina
Construction has officially begun on the $325.6-million Buffalo Pound water treatment plant renewal project.
A number of MLAs, mayors, board members, employees and more were in attendance for the first shovels hitting the ground in Buffalo Pound Monday.
The plant will serve communities such as Regina, Moose Jaw, Grand Coulee, Pense, Bethune and several other communities with clean drinking water.
In total, more than 260,000 people in the area will access the water.
“This treatment plant has served the residents of Regina and Moose Jaw with safe, high-quality drinking water and frankly we don’t exist without it,” said Regina Mayor Sandra Masters.
Construction underway at Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant - Discover Moose Jaw
Nearly a quarter of Saskatchewan's population gets their water from the same place, the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant.
On Monday, community members and staff at the plant celebrated the early stages of construction on the renewal project.
The last upgrades were over 30 years ago, meaning this renewal project is coming at the perfect time.
The renewal project will upgrade the main treatment plant and the processes and rejuvenate the plant to keep up with the forecasted demands in the future.
The Saskatchewan Government invested over $74 million into this renewal project, and the Federal Government contributed over $89.13 million. The total cost of the upgrades is expected to be around $325.6 million, with the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation funding the remaining $162.2 million.
Crowd Celebrates Official Launch of Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant Renewal Project - Moose Jaw Today
The plant currently produces 205 million litres — ML, or megalitres — of water per day, but will produce 250 ML per day once renovations are complete.
With gold-coloured shovels in hand, five provincial dignitaries heaved dirt into the air to help launch the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant’s three-year renewal project.
More than 40 people — area MLAs, the mayors of Regina and Moose Jaw, plant board members, employees, project contractors, and others — attended the official kickoff of the $325.6 million construction initiative on July 18.
Construction started in June and is expected to conclude in late 2025. Work so far has included constructing temporary roads, starting new summer ponds, relocating a natural gas line, refurbishing a chemical tank, and starting various underground services.