Water Security Agency investing $17M in major infrastructure projects this year

Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency is making some big investments into important water infrastructure projects around the province this year.

The agency is investing $17 million this year into major projects.

Those projects include emergency spillway upgrades at the Buffalo Pound Dam, upgrades to the East Side Pumpstation on Lake Diefenbaker, safety improvements for the public and operators at the Gardiner Dam, and upgrading spillways at the Moosomin Dam.

The Craven Dam will also see improvements this year, the agency said, and work will progress on a number of smaller infrastructure projects around Saskatchewan.

David Marit, minister responsible for the Water Security Agency, said the work will help the province meet the challenges of a potential drought year.

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“Our water management structures are vital to help us meet increasing water demands for a growing province,” Marit said in a statement.

“These projects will be critical to ensure we can maintain resilient infrastructure that protects our communities and allows us to manage water during floods and droughts.”

That message was emphasized by Randy Goulden, president of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association.

“These structures are crucial to ensuring that our communities can enjoy a sustainable supply of water, especially during times of drought,” Goulden said in a statement.

Last week, the agency released an updated runoff report that suggested many parts of the province could face water shortages throughout the year.

“Indicators suggest that there is a higher risk of agricultural and hydrological drought this year,” the report read.

“The Water Security Agency will monitor landscape conditions and water supply reservoirs closely to allow for a timely response to dry conditions.”