By Glenn Hicks

Pump station upgrades underway

Sep 28, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Work is underway on the multi-million dollar renovation to the first of two water pumping stations in Prince Albert.

The 11.5 million litre facility on Second Ave. W. will get its make-over between now and the spring. Once that’s done it should pave the way for work to start on the other aging station on Marquis Road.

 “They’re getting a complete renovation,” Wes Hicks, the city’s Manager of Capital Projects, said. “The Second Ave. reservoir was built in 1962 and the one on Marquis Rd. in 1980…so that’s a long time to go between renovations.”

He said the combined $6.1 million project is necessary to ensure proper pumping capacity and for back-up power generation protection in case of a black-out in the city.

Work at the Second Ave. location will be handled over the winter because it’s a lower water usage time. Hicks said while the pump station is out of action the Marquis Rd. facility and the city’s water treatment plant would be able to handle the city’s needs such as flow, pressure and fire-fighting capacity.

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The renovation job involves a complete replacement of everything above the concrete reservoir, which is buried below ground.

“It’s architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and controls,” Hicks said. “Everything above that reservoir will be rebuilt to today’s modern standards and codes.”

Technology has evolved a long way since the facilities were originally built around 55 years ago. Hicks said for example the renovations will include state-of-the-art vertical frequency drives.

“That will enable us to ramp up or ramp down water pumping based on consumption needs’” Hicks said. “That will be a cost saving on energy for the city…and of course all the new electronics will allow us to monitor every aspect of the water station, from volumes, flows, pressures and power consumption, which will ultimately save taxpayer dollars.”

Hicks said the project is funded through city borrowing.

Glenn.Hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow