July 15, 2004

A newly upgraded water treatment facility will serve Lac du Bonnet and area residents, Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton said today at the plant’s official opening.

"We are applying the most current Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines in Manitoba to ensure our water is of the highest quality," said Ashton. "We are determined to apply these guidelines in every part of our province."

Lac du Bonnet’s water supply plant was built in 1976 and uses the Winnipeg River as its water source. Over the past three decades, leisure and commercial use have increased the pressure on many natural water bodies in the province, including the Winnipeg River.

In 2001, the Manitoba Water Services Board (MWSB) began developing a plan to upgrade the water treatment plant and expand the treated water reservoir in Lac du Bonnet.

A study was completed in 2002 and an agreement was signed to construct the plant for $2.8 million. The project costs were shared by the Government of Manitoba through the MWSB ($1.2 million), the Town of Lac du Bonnet ($1.2 million) and the Canada Manitoba Infrastructure Program ($400,000).

"This state-of-the-art facility is capable of meeting all Canadian drinking water quality guidelines," said Ashton.

Before its upgrade, the water treatment plant was not capable of meeting the newer standards for colour, clarity and trihalomethanes, a carcinogenic compound.

"We can no longer assume our water is of the same high quality as it may have been in the past," said the minister. "This improved water plant will bring a reliable supply of water to the people of Lac du Bonnet and area for years to come."

- 30 -