Introduction
The Regina South Water Pipeline is a project developed to address the need for a sustainable potable water supply in the rural areas south of Regina. This proposal provides a brief overview of the water supply requirements of rural residents in this area and outlines the potential to satisfy present and future water supply demands with the construction of a potable water supply pipeline.
The proposal also includes: background information on the need for a sustainable quality water supply and the initiatives taken to develop this project; a brief assessment of water supply alternatives; a description of the project design and cost estimate; and the anticipated construction schedule.
The Regina South Pipeline requests the City of Regina to supply potable water for the project to provide a secure water supply but will allow agricultural producers the opportunity to diversify and expand their livestock numbers without the threat of drought.
Construction is expected to take place in the summer and fall of 2005. An application to the Canada Saskatchewan Water Supply Expansion Program(CSWSEP), administered by Agriculture and Agrifood Canada’s Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) for financial assistance has been submitted. If accepted, work beyond the preliminary phases will require private consultants and contractors.
The preliminary construction costs are estimated at $1.47 million. This does not include the costs of land control, insurance, permits, fees, or operating costs.
Deborah Lewko Frank
Chair, Regina South Pipeline
RR3 Box 51 Station Main Rowatt
Regina, SK S4P 2Z3
Phone: (306) 585-1713
lewkofrank@yahoo.ca
Background
In 2003 a group of residents approached AAFC - PFRA with an interest in developing a water pipeline to the agricultural area south of Regina. The area has historically relied on individual dugouts for farm and domestic supplies with most having to haul their potable water. The current hauling source is a bulk station in the City of Regina at 4th Avenue and Albert Street and has been designated for closure. A treated and dependable water supply would eliminate costly hauling, alleviate the risk of drought for the agricultural producers, allow the opportunity to expand into livestock or expand existing herds and improve their overall quality of life. The group’s objective of securing a sustainable potable water supply to as many farms and rural residents south of Regina as possible began to generate interest.
In the RMs of Sherwood and Bratt's Lake, a survey was carried out to assess the potential for a rural water pipeline system. The general area from Regina south to Gray, Milestone, Rouleau and Wilcox was targeted because of the poor quality of water supplies that exists and the poor potential for ground water development. After a significant amount was shown by residents in the these RMs , a public meeting was held at Gray in June of 2003. At the meeting it was agreed the project should be investigated further by exploring the potential costs and establishing other requirements a project of this nature would impose. A steering committee, the Regina South Pipeline, was chosen to represent the pipeline group and PFRA was subsequently asked to conduct preliminary designs and costs.
The communities of Gray, Wilcox, Milestone, and Rouleau were contacted by the committee to determine if they wished to be involved in the development of this project. Each community eventually responded in writing and declined any involvement.
Several conceptual designs were completed while the steering committee sought potential partners or programs to help fund the project. The RMs of Sherwood, Bratt’s Lake and Lajord have all passed motions to support the project in forming a Public Utility Board to facilitate the project.
After a series of public meetings were held to present design and cost estimates, the steering committee established a firm group of 74 subscribers who have committed financially to the project. With this commitment, the Regina South Pipeline was able to apply for funding under the CSWSEP and is currently being considered.
Assessment of Water Supply Alternatives
Regina South Pipeline considered two options from which to secure a water supply.
1. A pipeline from City of Regina water distribution system with the main pipeline artery along Highway No. 6. Cost to current number of subscribers is estimated at $1.3 million not including land control.
2. Investigating alternative groundwater sources.
-Richardson Aquifer on southeast edge of Regina (small aquifer - poor quality with 2500 mg/l TDS from high sodium, sulfate, iron and manganese)
-Regina Aquifer (aquifer is stressed, in 1989 the city of Regina agreed that future water increases would be dealt with by pipeline expansion rather than put further pressure on the already over-allocated groundwater; the Regina sewage treatment and the city landfill pose a contamination risk to the aquifer)
-Condie Aquifer (outcrops over much of its area, may be susceptible to contamination; large number of existing private wells may be affected by large development.)
Costs for test drilling, quantity and quality analyses, and developing these sources plus the additional costs of operating a treatment plant makes these the least desirable options. Distance to these sources are comparable or greater than to the City of Regina.
These alternatives were discussed within a committee formed by the RM of Sherwood. The most desirable approach based on cost, reliability and quality of water supplied, is to solicit the City of Regina to supply potable water to approximately 100 potential rural area residents.
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