A project years in the making is now in operation and represents a significant step in ensuring reliable access to water in the Rural Municipality of Stanley.
Dignitaries gathered last Thursday to celebrate having the potable water reservoir near Boundary Trails Health Centre online.
With a holding capacity of four million litres, it has been designed to hold two days’ worth of water based on a 20-year trend analysis, so it is seen as ensuring resilience against fluctuating demands and emergencies.
“It’s been quite some time in the making of this project, and it’s nice to see that it’s come to fruition,” said Deputy Reeve Pete Froese, who noted it goes back to before 2017 when the idea was first put to the Manitoba Water Services Board. “For future planning, this was a much needed piece of the puzzle.”
“We’re really pleased to have this project completed now,” said Reeve Ike Friesen, who called it a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to enhance water infrastructure and ensure the well-being of the community. “We are confident that this investment will not only meet our current needs but also provide a foundation for sustainable water management for years to come.
“It’s been in the works for many years, and it just gives us security with water pressure in different areas of the municipality and the hospital as well … it provides a secure water source for them.”
Situated to accommodate future demands and consumption around the Hwy. 3 corridor and back towards Schanzenfeld and Reinfeld, the reservoir serves as a critical component in the municipality’s long-term water management strategy.
One of the key features is its ability to enhance water movement during peak demand times or water breaks. This capability is vital in ensuring continuous access to water, particularly during times of increased usage or system maintenance.
Moreover, the reservoir’s location allows for the integration of incoming water from the two major water treatment plants at Morris and Letellier. It also allows for incoming water from the cities of Morden and Winkler as well as Stephenfield in emergency situations.
Another benefit is its contribution to system pressure stability, official shared. By strategically distributing water throughout sections of the municipality, it helps to mitigate pressure fluctuations, thereby ensuring consistent and reliable water supply for residents and businesses.
“There’s not much to see. It’s all underground, the big reservoir, but there’s been a lot of dollars, a lot of engineering gone into it,” said Friesen, who noted there was a bit more to be done yet. “There’s still some work to do. There’s one line that has to still come in and be connected. It is going to happen once the ground thaws.”
Joel Nelson, director of health services at Boundary Trails Health Centre, heralded what the reservoir will mean for the hospital.
“It just adds an extra layer of protection for our water security,” he said. “It has dedicated lines coming right into the hospital, so it allows us to have the confidence that we can avoid any kind of boil water advisories or things like that because they’re able to kind of manage the water for our facility and protect our residents and staff.”
The Rural Municipality of Stanley expressed its gratitude to the following stakeholders involved in the planning, development and implementation of this project: WBS Construction, the Manitoba Water Services Board, Southern Health–Santé Sud, Associated Engineering, and the Pembina Valley Water Co-op.
