June 27, 2006

SNOW LAKE—An upgraded water-treatment facility was officially opened here today, providing the community with a quality water supply, Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton has announced.

"We are pleased to be able to assist the people of Snow Lake with funding for the new water system through the Manitoba Water Services Board," said Ashton. "This was a substantial project that involved a feasibility study and pilot testing of treatment equipment leading to today’s modernized facility."

The first phase of the project began in 2000 with the feasibility study and testing of equipment. Construction of the $3.5-million dollar treatment facility and meter installations were carried out in phases beginning in 2002 and completed in 2006. The project was cost shared on a 60-40 basis between the province and the town.

The upgrades were required as Snow Lake’s water supply is high in organic matter. The new treatment system, which includes sedimentation and filtration equipment, is able to treat the water supply to meet the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality for colour, turbidity and public-health concerns.

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