A look inside the new Raw Water Pump House in Prince Albert. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

WATER

City celebrates completion of new Raw Water Pump House

Nov 5, 2022 | 9:00 AM

A project several years in the making is now a reality as the City of Prince Albert celebrated the completion of its new raw water pump house.

The facility replaces the previous pump house which was first built in 1923.

The pump house is responsible for pumping raw water from the North Saskatchewan River to the water treatment plant for treatment, storage, and distribution.

Under the federal Canada Community Building Fund Program, the Government of Canada contributed more than $10 million towards the project.

“Prince Albert’s new water facility will ensure the continued well-being of residents and the North Saskatchewan River’s ecosystem while supporting long-term growth in the region,” said Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in a statement.

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Representatives from the province, the city, the federal government, and PCL Construction were on hand for the celebration and ribbon cutting at the facility at 690 River Street West.

Afterward, a tour of the new facility was given showing the larger spaces and state-of-the-art pumps.

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

The pump house has been operational since the end of September after the previous pump house was decommissioned.

Andy Busse, manager of the water treatment plant, said it was a bittersweet but special moment for him when the new facility opened.

“When you look at a 100-year-old facility and the old pumphouse being decommissioned, it definitely served the city well,” he said. “But definitely very exciting to move into a new facility with the amenities, the safety, the environmental protection, and ease of operation so that the city has a water supply that’s secure.”

Busse and other city workers also opened the doors one last time to the old pump house, not far from the brand-new facility.

Inside are some of the original equipment, and other pieces that have been repaired or replaced over the years.

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

The building is scheduled to be demolished sometime in 2023.

Mayor Greg Dionne said it’s great to finally see another innovative project built in Prince Albert.

“The Raw Water Pump House is the first step of providing high-quality drinking water to the residents of Prince Albert which is one of the most important services we provide,” he said. “The original Raw Water Pump House was built in 1923 so this project was a high priority.”

The new pump house has been in the planning stages since 2017 with construction starting in the fall of 2020.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock