BPWTC CEO to be Presented with the George Warren Fuller Award
From the late 1800s into the 20th century, George Warren Fuller helped revolutionize public health through his pioneering work in sanitary engineering and the development of modern water treatment practices. In recognition of his enduring impact on the water industry, the American Water Works Association established the George Warren Fuller Award to honor distinguished service, leadership, diplomatic talent, and significant contributions to the advancement of the water profession.
The award is presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated long-term commitment to the industry and to improving the delivery of safe, reliable drinking water to the communities they serve.
BPWTC CEO, Ryan Johnson was presented with the George Fuller pin earlier this month and will be presented with the George Fuller Award actual at the 2027 AWWA ACE conference in San Diego in June 2027.
“With great humility and gratitude, I am honored to announce that I have been selected as a recipient of the George Warren Fuller Award on behalf of the Western Canada Section of AWWA. To be recognized alongside the many respected professionals who have received this award throughout its history is truly a career highlight. This recognition reflects not only my own efforts, but also the support, mentorship, and collaboration of the outstanding colleagues, teams, staff and organizations I have had the privilege to work with over my career. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. I remain committed to advancing our profession and serving our communities through excellence in water treatment,” said Johnson.
Ryan Johnson with Mike Worlton, Vice President AWWA receiving the George Fuller pin. The actual award is presented at the 2027 ACE in San Diego.
Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation Wins Major National Water Award
Monday, October 26, 2026 - The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation (BPWTC), which supplies water to over 300,000 people in the Cities of Regina, Moose Jaw and surrounding region, has received national recognition, winning a significant 2026 Water Canada Award! The Awards honour organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the quality of the Canadian water sector.
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation was the winner in the Drinking Water – Large Project category, which recognizes a large-scale drinking water project that sets a new standard for innovation and excellence in the Canadian water sector. According to Water Canada, the recipient of this award demonstrates exceptional creativity and resourcefulness, using cutting-edge technologies or pioneering approaches to establish, enhance, rehabilitate, or rejuvenate drinking water infrastructure. The corporation was one of four finalists from across Canada in the category.
“Receiving this national recognition is a tremendous honour for our corporation and everyone who has contributed to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant renewal. This is an ambitious, complex project that has required innovation, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to maintaining the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water throughout construction. Being recognized among the best water projects in Canada is a testament to what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to excellence,” said Ryan Johnson, CEO, Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation.
The corporation achieved this significant milestone while undertaking a major renewal of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, a project that began construction in 2022 and is expected to be complete in spring 2027. The Water Canada Award announcement notes “Upgrading a major plant while keeping clean water flowing to thousands of homes is like changing an engine while driving down the highway.”
With the assistance of the corporation’s owner’s advocate, led by Jacobs and supported by KGS Group and Carollo, the corporation was able to deliver this multi-year project using the Progressive Design Build model, and was the first to use this model for water infrastructure in Canada.
The corporation’s laser focus on delivering high-quality water to its customers has led to numerous water quality awards over the years, with the 2026 Water Canada Award for Drinking Water being the most significant. Its ongoing work to deliver continuous water quality improvements over the years resulted in the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant becoming one of the first plants to pioneer the use of the Granular Activated Carbon filtration process for the removal of algae-produced taste and odour, a process which is now used by many plants across Canada for improved water quality.
According to Johnson, the Corporation’s quality water successes are due in large part to the water treatment expertise of its employees.
“Our success has always been driven by the knowledge, experience and dedication of our employees. Their expertise and commitment to continuous improvement have helped the corporation deliver high-quality drinking water while embracing new technologies and approaches that strengthen water treatment. This award recognizes not only the renewal project, but also the people behind it and the important work they do every day to serve our communities,” said Johnson.
Construction, which is nearing completion, is being led by a consortium consisting of Graham-Aecon Joint Venture, Stantec and Associated Engineering.
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation is owned jointly by the Cities of Regina and Moose Jaw.
The Water Canada Awards were announced and presented to recipients at the awards ceremony held in Toronto on October 22, 2026. To read the Water Canada Awards announcement visit : https://www.watercanada.net/celebrating-the-standouts-at-the-2026-water-canada-awards/
Ryan Johnson CEO of Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant accepting the 2026 Water Canada Award
Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation is Celebrating the Water Treatment Plant’s 70th Anniversary
Regina, Moose Jaw (Tuesday November 18, 2025) - The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation is celebrating 70 years of delivering quality, safe and reliable water delivery to southern Saskatchewan.
Today Lumsden Morse MLA Blaine McLeod on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski, Moose Jaw Mayor James Murdock, along with Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation Board Chair Patricia Warsaba and CEO Ryan Johnson officially unveiled a plaque commemorating the event.
“This is a major accomplishment! We all need to be extremely proud of the work that was done in building this plant to deliver water to nearly 25 per cent of Saskatchewan residents. We also need to recognize the work of so many Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant staff over the past 70 years who worked diligently to ensure residents in Southern Saskatchewan continued to have safe, quality, reliable water,” said Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation Board Chair Patricia Warsaba.
The plant currently supplies water to the Cities of Regina and Moose Jaw, SaskWater, and the Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, as well as to many communities in the Region, extending as far west as Mortlach, as far east as Sedley, as far south as Briercrest and as far north as Bethune. In total BPWTC supplies water to over 300,000 people within the region.
The BPWTP was commissioned in 1951 following extensive work with the federal and provincial governments, and the Cities of Regina and Moose Jaw. It began producing water in September,1954. The plant draws water from Buffalo Pound Lake, a shallow man-made reservoir on the Qu'Appelle River. Water levels in Buffalo Pound Lake are maintained by the release of water from the Qu'Appelle Dam on Lake Diefenbaker.
Over its lifetime, the Plant has been a leader in the delivery of high-quality drinking water. It has received numerous Water Quality Awards and has made significant progress in improving the quality of water provided to its customers. It was one of the first plants in Canada to pioneer the use of the Granular Activated Carbon filtration process for the removal of algae-produced taste and odour. The Corporation’s quality water successes are due in large part to the water treatment expertise of its employees.
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant has undergone three major capacity and process improvements since its original construction. In 2018, the Provincial and Federal governments committed $20.6 million in grant funds under the Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component (PTIC) of the New Building Canada Fund for upgrading of the electrical systems, and provision of back up power, at the Plant.
The plant is currently undergoing a renewal that will enable it to continue delivering water for at least the next 25 years and ensure the Corporation is able to meet its mandate long into the future.
In June of 2020, the Corporation announced the awarding of the Plant Renewal Design Contract, and on June 8, 2021, federal and provincial funding of $163.4M was announced for work on the Plant Renewal Project, under the Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program.
The Government of Canada has invested more than $89.13 million, the Government of Saskatchewan has provided more than $74.26 million toward the project's eligible costs, and the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation, owned by the cities of Regina and Moose Jaw, is responsible for any additional costs.
The Renewal Project is a substantial renovation of the water treatment plant which includes some renovations and some new construction, with the re-use of much of the plant’s former facilities and infrastructure.
“It’s exciting to be celebrating such an important milestone, while we are completing a renovation that will take this critically important facility to its 100th anniversary,” said BPWTC CEO, Ryan Johnson. “I want to thank both the Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada for their commitment to ensuring the residents of Regina, Moose Jaw and area will continue to receive quality, safe and reliable water for many years to come.”
REGINA AND MOOSE JAW RESIDENTS MAY NOTICE AN INCREASED CHLORINE SMELL IN WATER SYSTEM
As part of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant’s major capital upgrade, to facilitate repair work, a treatment process was temporarily removed from service, resulting in small organic particles called copepods entering the system. These small organic particles are common amongst many surface water systems across the world.
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment plant effectively treated the issue with carbon filtration, ultraviolet disinfection, and an increased level of chlorination.
“The multibarrier approach to water treatment, including substantial disinfection, ensured that the water that left the plant always met regulatory requirements”, said Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation CEO, Ryan Johnson.
As a result of the increased chlorination, residents may notice a change in smell to their water. Drinking water for all residents is safe to consume and does not pose any health risk.
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant is working with the Water Security Agency’s Environment Officers on site as the system is carefully monitored to ensure all regulatory requirements are met.
The Water Security Agency is also keeping the Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority informed.
For more information, contact:
Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant
Ryan Johnson – 631-3362