North Battleford fined for waterworks violations

NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. – The City of North Battleford was fined after pleading guilty to failing to operate waterworks in accordance with provincial legislation.

The city was charged after an inspection of its water treatment plant by Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency (WSA) on July 29-30, 2013.

WSA discovered the city’s waterworks contravened its permit to operate by failing to keep and provide records of turbidity trend data which helps with understanding the performance of the drinking water filtration system.

The inspection also found the city failed to conduct required water quality monitoring for some constituents and failed to conduct monthly reviews of waterworks operational records.

WSA pointed out there were no failures to the water filtration system during the time of concern and the city’s mayor said there was no threat to water quality.

“Water quality was never threatened and the water has been and continues to be safe,” stated Ian Hamilton, mayor of North Battleford.

Hamilton noted the city missed four tests last year which were reported to the Ministry of Environment.

“Complying with the requirements in the waterworks permit is clearly outlined and each aspect is important to ensure a safe drinking water supply,” said Sam Ferris, the executive director of environmental and municipal management services division at WSA.

“The WSA remains vigilant at all times to ensure municipalities are complying with regulatory and permit requirements and are delivering safe drinking water.”

The WSA said regular bacteriological water quality monitoring was performed during the period in question which showed satisfactory results and the city’s water supply was adequately maintained at the water treatment plants.

A follow up inspection on Feb. 19, 2014, showed both water plants in North Battleford were in compliance with the permit requirements.

The city was fined $4,900, an amount the city called excessive as water quality was never compromised.