By Andrew de Souza

UV filtration activated at water treatment plant

Apr 2, 2011 | 7:23 AM

The City of Prince Albert is now fully incorporating ultra-violet light in its water disinfection process at its water treatment plant.

As of Apr. 1, the city’s water permit changed to require the devices be used in conjunction with other disinfection procedures, including chlorination.

“It adds a second level of guarantee,” said plant’s operations co-ordinator, Kirk Wilson. “We’re still chlorinating definitely but it has reduced the need for chlorine.

“UV is the number one, best option with the technology that is available for the best cost and best effect.”

The filtration system works by blasting any living organisms with high intensity ultraviolet light, which destroys their DNA, effectively killing them.

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The system is part of the first phase of the city’s $24 million plant upgrades, which also included upgrading the plant’s power supplies and ability to expand capacity.

A change was mandated by the province after high-profile incidences in Walkerton, Ont. and in North Battleford, beginning with assessments of each water treatment plant in the province.

“We looked at our system see where the system should be improved and where there are risks,” said Colin Innes, the city’s director of public works.

“We took that and that’s how we’ve planned what’s been done here in phase I and II—to address the concerns that were in the document.”

The first phase was priced at around $8 million, with the UV filters at an additional $2 million. The second phase was recently approved by council (http://tinyurl.com/3k45p3x) to replace the massive devices that take out sediments and clear the water for $13 million and also upgrade control systems that are around 60 years old.

Of the total project cost, the city has to put up $8 million, with the rest coming from provincial and federal grants.

Because the clarifiers aren’t needed as much in the colder months as they are in the summer, Phase II is scheduled to begin in September and be completed by April 2012.

Once everything is completed, Innes said users won’t notice much difference when they take a drink.

“It won’t look any different than it did before, but the thing that users can take away is that they can feel more safe now knowing that we have the adequate disinfection,” he said.

“They can rest better knowing that it’s been disinfected to a level where they don’t have to worry about contracting any of the viruses or diseases you could encounter.”

adesouza@panow.com