Water and Sewer
Water Treatment Plant Water Quality Information:
Background: Before the reverse osmosis was installed the treatment process consisted of running well water through eight greensand manganese pressure filters. This process would eliminate high concentrations or iron and manganese but not the ammonia that naturally occurs from the raw water wells. In order to remove ammonia, it is needed to add high amounts of chlorine to the water. The average of chlorine added was 10kg per day to remove the ammonia to reach Break Point.
With the reverse osmosis system that is online it removes ammonia and now the water treatment plant uses between one and two kg per day of chlorine. On average the water treatment plant distribution water chlorine levels are between 0.58 – 0.62 mg/l for total chlorine which is Break Point.
Break Point is the comfortable level of chlorine due to a couple factors. It is mandatory to have a free chlorine residual present at the furthest fire hydrant in the Town of Nipawin. Chlorine levels decrease as it travels through the water mains. The plan is to have a high enough level when it reaches the furthest hydrant. It also gives the Town of Nipawin Utilities department enough time to react if the Town of Nipawin has an increased demand for water (ex. House Fire).
By Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, The Town of Nipawin needs to have a minimum no lower than 0.50 mg/l of total chlorine. (The residual before any disinfection takes place) leaving the water treatment plant. Town water is tested weekly throughout town and sent to the lab for results to meet the Saskatchewan Water Security standards.
Administration understands that somedays people will notice a smell or a taste in the water. This is mainly happening when chlorine levels in the water is not at Break Point. It would be due to either a little too much chlorine or not enough would cause this. In the last few months, the utilities department has been keeping the chlorine levels in Break Point leaving the water treatment plant. Levels of Chlorine may change in the distribution system.
Treating water is a complicated process and there is many factors the Utilities department come across on a daily basis and also the water supply from the raw water wells can change unexpectedly. The utilities department does its best to provide the Town with safe, drinkable water while meeting the required standards.
January 2022
Waterworks Rate Policy
Domestic and Commercial Rate
On June 13th, 2016, Council passed a bylaw to fix the rates to be charged for the use and consumption of water and to fix the rates to be charged by way of rent and service charge for the use of the sewer.
Under the waterworks rate policy bylaw, the water rate of $51.96 for the first 3,000 gallons of water, $13.31 per 1,000 gallons in excess of 3,000 gallons to 33,000 gallons, and $10.62 per 1,000 gallons in excess of 33,000 gallons as adopted under the Water Bylaw, dated June 13th, 2016. This bylaw came into effect August 1st, 2016.
| Date |
Consumption |
Rate |
|
|
|
August 1, 2016
|
Minimum
|
3,000 gals
|
$51.96
|
|
|
Overage
|
3,001 – 33,000 (both inclusive)
|
$13.31 per 1,000 gals.
|
|
|
|
33,001 and over
|
$10.62 per 1,000 gals.
|
|
|
|
Infrastructure Fee
|
$30.00 per month
|
Special Rates
The charge for water sold in bulk quantities shall be subject to a special rate of $37.94 per thousand gallons.
Coin-Operated Meters
Meters will accept loonies.
100 gallons - $6.00
Flat Rate
Senior Citizens semi-detached units -- $81.96
2016 Water Only Rates
3,000 gallons = $64.20 Includes $30.00 Infrastructure fee.
3,001 - 33,000 gallons = $8.62 per thousand gallons
33,001 and over = $6.93 per thousand gallons
* this is only for properties who do not have municipal sewer services available.
2016 Sewer Only Rates
Monthly rate = $55.98 Includes $30.00 Infrastructure fee.
Other Rates
- Transfer Fee $50.00
- Re-instatement $50.00
- Waterline Thaw $100.00 - after hours $150.00
- ¾” meter upgrade $100.00
- Meter testing $100.00
- Meter repair $100.00
- Meter Deposit $150.00
- Sewer Video $150.00
- Temporary turn-on $50.00 (Residential)
- Temporary turn-on $150.00 (Commercial/Multi-family)
- Dewatering equipment $1200.00
- Waterline repair (summer) $600.00
- Waterline repair (winter) $900.00
- After Hours call-out charge $100.00
- Custom Work Rates for Labour $60.00/hr
- Meter replacement $300.00(actual cost plus labour)
Capital Investment Strategy/Annual Financial Overview/Reserves
Waterworks Capital Investment Strategy
The objective of the waterworks capital investment strategy is to address anticipated waterworks infrastructure maintenance and future infrastructure replacements in a timely fashion so as to ensure the municipal waterworks provides safe drinking wter to residents and businesses.
To cover the costs of future waterworks infrastructure maintenance and replacements, Council undertook a combination of increasing water rates and the addition of an infrastructure charge to fund the infrastructure maintenance and replacements. The capital investment strategy will ensure that safe drinking water can be provided to the residents and businesses in the present and future. In 2016, the Town of Nipawin was awarded an infrastructure grant from the Federal and Provincial Government, totalling $13.2 million. This grant allowed the infrastructure fee to be decreased effective August1st, 2016.
The construction for the new water treatment plant infrastructure is currently underway, with estimated completion in 2020.
Annual Waterworks Financial Overview
The following is information on the waterworks, as required under The Municipalities Regulations:
2020 Waterworks Overview:
- Total waterworks revenues: $2,194,448.00
- Total waterworks expenditures: $1,706,813.00
- Total debt payments on waterworks infrastructure loans: $191,519.00
- Comparison of waterworks revenues to expenditures plus debt payments, expressed as a ratio:
$2,194,448 = 1.16
$1706,813
Reserves
Reserves available for waterworks capital infrastructure - $1,460,866.12
The following additional information is available at the Municipal Office on the waterworks:
- The waterworks rate policy
- Capital plans in place and related sources of funding for the projects.
- 2020 financial overview of the waterworks.
- Waterworks reserves.
- A copy of the 2015 waterworks assessment.
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