PVWC showcases expanded Letellier water treatment plant
On Jan. 28, board members of the Pembina Valley Water Co-op (PVWC) took an exclusive tour of the newly expanded water treatment plant in Letellier, marking a significant milestone for the region’s water infrastructure.
The $16 million expansion has increased storage capacity by four million liters, alongside a major chemical system upgrade and enhanced distribution pumping. Alongside that project, this year will see the estimated $7.8 million installation of a new Red River intake pipe to pull more raw water into the Letellier plant to be treated.
“As the region continues to grow, so do the demands placed on the Pembina Valley Water Co-op and its infrastructure,” said PVWC CEO Dale Toews. “It’s an important project, and we wanted to bring the board in to see what we’ve been working on. Our board members are all elected officials, and some CAOs were here as well. We are municipally owned, providing water to these organizations, so it’s crucial they see how their water supply is managed.”
The plant began utilizing the upgrades in the latter part of 2024, and the transition has been ongoing.
“We’re still using parts of the old facility, but with much greater efficiency,” Toews explained. “Previously, we had 2.5 million liters of reservoir storage. With this added capacity, we can better handle peak demands. The new headworks system, distribution pumping, and bulk chemical feeding systems have significantly improved efficiency. Now, we’re preparing to expand our membrane treatment facility to further enhance our output and meet Manitoba’s growing water needs.”
Engineering work is already underway for the next phase: a $25 million membrane plant expansion. Toews emphasized the urgency of the project, with $10 million in funding already committed by the province.
“We need to move forward to keep up with demand,” he said. “We serve 14 member municipalities, a population of 60,000, and all the industries and agricultural operations that come with that. We’re a large system, and we keep growing. Water is essential to economic development, and the province recognizes that. Ensuring water availability is critical for the region’s future.”
The upcoming membrane plant expansion will incorporate advanced ultrafiltration technology, enhancing water purification and significantly improving the plant’s capacity to remove contaminants. Membrane filtration is a highly efficient method that forces water through semi-permeable membranes, effectively removing bacteria, viruses, and other microscopic impurities. This technology will help the PVWC meet increasing water quality standards while boosting overall efficiency.
A behind-the-scenes look
Lead plant operator Trevor Hodgins led the tour, offering board members an up-close look at the plant’s operations.
“We showed them everything that goes into making the water safe to drink,” Hodgins said. “It was great to see everyone engaged and asking questions.”
The tour began in the main office, where visitors viewed the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) screen, which monitors plant processes in real time, tracking flow rates, chemical levels, and turbidity. Attendees then explored the treatment equipment, climbed to the top of clarifying tanks, and observed the intricate filtering and chemical processes that transform raw river water into potable drinking water.
One of the key upgrades featured in the expansion is the enhanced chemical treatment system, which now includes a state-of-the-art bulk chemical feed mechanism. This upgrade has improved the precision of chemical dosing, ensuring optimal water quality while reducing waste and handling risks for plant operators. Additionally, the new high-efficiency pumps allow for greater control over water pressure and distribution, ensuring reliable service even during peak demand periods.
“The expansion has been a huge success,” Hodgins noted. “The ability to store nearly a full day’s worth of treated water has made a tremendous difference in plant operations. It allows us to run more smoothly, conduct maintenance without being under pressure, and operate more efficiently. The upgraded chemical systems are also a big improvement—safer, more accurate, and easier to adjust and monitor.”
The plant’s filtration process was also optimized to improve water clarity and safety. Clarification tanks now feature improved sedimentation technology, which aids in the removal of suspended particles before further treatment. This enhancement has resulted in a more consistent and reliable filtration process, ensuring that treated water meets or exceeds regulatory standards.
Greater operational efficiency means fewer disruptions, a crucial factor for a team that is on call 24/7 to ensure the region’s water remains clean and reliable.
“I started here in 2008, and I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years,” Hodgins said. “It’s rewarding to see improvements that make the job easier and benefit the community.”
A regional effort
Altona Mayor Harv Schroeder and Municipality of Rhineland Reeve Don Wiebe were among the attendees. Both expressed admiration for the plant’s advancements.
“I was pleased to see that we’re integrating two technologies. Neither method is perfect. They keep the old calcium hydrate plant and then add a membrane plant. With the two treatment processes, you can produce pretty good water, and that’s what we’re looking forward to,” Wiebe said.
“Many years ago, when I was in public works, I toured the original facility when it still had those original blue tanks,” Schroeder recalled. “The expansion is impressive, with a much larger storage capacity.”
However, Schroeder acknowledged that more work lies ahead.
“We’re one of 14 municipalities committed to securing water for the future, but we still need ongoing support from our provincial and federal governments. These water plants sustain the entire Pembina Valley.”
During the tour, it was noted that Altona alone was drawing in about 60 liters of water per second.
“People don’t always realize what it takes to keep the water flowing,” Schroeder noted. “You turn on the tap, and the water is just there—but behind the scenes a lot of effort and investment goes into making that happen.”
