Town of Rosthern celebrates opening of new water treatment plant

“Our world today that is so divided on so many issues, and in a nation when we’re seeing those same divisions in our province, it’s so reassuring – and I say thank you, more broadly to the community of Rosthern, and for always coming together. Collaborating with other communities, collaborating with other levels of government to actually achieve the opportunity to build a better community for our children and our grandchildren.”

“Amidst all of those divisions globally, we have an opportunity in Canada. But it starts with community, community just like Rosthern.”

Saskatchewan Premier and Rosthern-Shellbrook MLA Scott Moe says a few words ahead of the grand opening of Rosthern’s new water treatment plant on Oct. 17, 2026. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

Saturday served as the finish line for the project, which took six years to complete while the construction of the facility itself took a year and a half. The total cost of the project was $19.6 million, including $7,843,152 from the federal government, $6,535,306 from the provincial government, and $5,229,422 from the town.

The new water treatment plant was built right next to the old one, which only had a capacity of 180,000 gallons of water in its supply reservoir. According to Owen Green, Rosthern’s Manager of Municipal Operations, the new reservoir can hold nearly 800,000 gallons, and the facility can treat four times the amount of water compared to the old one.

The old water treatment plant was constructed in 1957 and the last upgrades to the facility were completed in 1985. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

“We actually brought in a raw water supply line strictly into this new plant; we twinned the system,” Green explained, speaking to the construction of the facility. “We also updated and upgraded our well fields; we have two current well fields, so we upgraded all the controls. We drilled a couple additional wells in the past, and those all got tied in as well as part of this project. We’re working on a third well field for future use as well.”

The facility is designed to have a 40-year lifespan and can serve a population of up to 4,000 people. Green added that the water in the reservoir is for Rosthern residents only, however, nearby First Nations and surrounding residents can still access the bulk fill water station if needed.

“We have a truck fill station. You can either pay by credit card or pay with an account set up with the town and bring in your bulk tank and fill. We have a lot of contractors that use it as well as residential and rural users, and First Nations groups.”

In addition to a larger capacity, the new water treatment plant will help future development in town, like with residential and commercial expansion, as well as with assisting emergency services.

“We have what we need for the future,” said Green.

Rosthern residents listen to Owen Green, the town’s Manager of Municipal Operations, as he explains a bit about the new facility during a tour. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

(Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

by Logan Lehmann

Town of Rosthern celebrates opening of new water treatment plant

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