Manitoba recycling grey water for use in skating, curling rinks

Manitoba hockey players, figure skaters and curlers could soon be among the first in Canada to play on ice made from recycled shower water.

The province is looking at a pilot project that would see one of Manitoba’s largest arenas convert its shampoo and sweat-laced wastewater into ice skating rinks.

If the project is successful, the province says it would like to expand the concept to include all Manitoba skating as well as curling rinks.

Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick says Manitoba is the first province to look at recycling so-called grey water this way.

Environmentalists say it’s a great way to reuse water, reduce costs for rinks and take pressure off the municipal system.

John Bennett, with the Sierra Club of Canada, says it doesn’t make sense to use drinking water that could be served at the best table in the land to make skating rinks.