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Corporation struggling to fill raw water reservoir in Turner Valley

A change in the federal standard for manganese levels is among the hurdles the Sheep River Regional Utility Corporation is facing to bring its raw water reservoir to full capacity.
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The raw water reservoir in Turner Valley is currently between 75 and 80 per cent capacity. (Wheel File Photo)

The Sheep River Regional Utility Corporation is struggling to fill its raw water reservoir in Turner Valley this spring due to heavy rains, spring runoff and one of its wells failing to meet federal guidelines.

Harry Riva Cambrin, chief executive officer of the Sheep River Regional Utility Corporation (SRRUC), which operates the supply, treatment and transmission of wholesale potable water to Black Diamond, Turner Valley and parts of Millarville and the surrounding area, said SRRUC stopped the production of one of its wells after learning it exceeds the new standard for manganese levels.

New information on the effects of manganese on human health prompted a change in federal guidelines last year for the element, which is found in minerals and is typically present in groundwater, according to government documentation.

The document states manganese can be beneficial to human health in small doses, but in higher concentrations it can pose adverse effects to infants and children – therefore the guidelines have been changed to no more than .12 milligrams per litre. The level in the Turner Valley well was measured at .28 milligrams per litre on Dec. 16 according to information provided by Riva Cambrin.

“Because it’s hardly out of spec and it’s not a health issue because it’s pumping into the large reservoir and the water in the reservoir always meets the standard, we’re hoping to get approval to use the well,” he said, adding he doesn’t know how long approval could take. “We’re dealing with Alberta Environment and there’s a process involved there and so we’ll just keep working away.”

The raw water reservoir is filled by three wells and an infiltration gallery. The infiltration gallery, which pumps water from the Sheep River, is shut down temporarily – as is usual for this time of year - due to turbidity in the river water from snow melt and frequent rains, said Riva Cambrin.

“As soon as that clears up we’ll be able to fill up the reservoir,” he said, adding he expects it to be in late June. “Once we start pumping from the river we’ll have it back up to 100 per cent or higher very quickly.”

Despite more people staying home after businesses and schools closed, borders shut down and lay-offs occurred throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Riva Cambrin said water consumption hasn’t changed.

“I think people are watching their consumption because it’s one bill they have a little bit of control over keeping within their limits,” he said.

Water conservation has become a common theme amongst Black Diamond and Turner Valley residents since the 2013 flood washed away Black Diamond’s water treatment plant, in addition to most water wells in both towns.

The Turner Valley water treatment plant has since supplied both towns with water, and residents and merchants have been on water restrictions since.

The towns have been implementing mandatory water conservation regulations at Level II, which allows outdoor water use during specific days and times, since 2014.

Riva Cambrin said there’s a good reason for this.

“If people went back to their old habits prior to the 2013 flood… we would then start to get closer to the licensed capacity of the towns,” he said. “But the people have really curbed the volume of water that they used to use and that’s really made a lot more room within the system.”

Since the 2013 flood, water consumption has dropped an average of 20 per cent, leaving plenty of room for growth in the region, said Riva Cambrin.

“The system is in good condition and it is well-sized for the future so there’s quite a bit of excess capacity in the system,” he said. “As long as we don’t run into some kind of major drought two or three years in a row things should be pretty good.”

At Level II, outdoor water use is restricted in Black Diamond and Turner Valley to Thursdays and Sundays for odd numbered addresses and Wednesdays and Saturdays for even numbered addresses – with watering to take place between 6 a. m. and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Outdoor water use refers to watering lawns, washing vehicles, sidewalks, pads and buildings, filling hot tubs and Jacuzzis and recreational use of sprinklers.

Flowerbeds and vegetable gardens may be watered by hand, during the prescribed times, by using a watering can or a hose with a nozzle trigger shutoff to restrict water flow, the bylaw states.

Requests for water conservation exemption permit for newly seeded lawns or freshly planted sod may be applied for at the municipal office.

Those breaching the water conservation bylaw could face a $100 fine for the first offence, $250 for the second and $800 for consecutive offences.

Tammy Rollie, OkotoksToday.ca

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