Prince Albert, Sask., can boast it has some of the best tasting tap water in the Prairies after recently placing second in a water test taste.
The northern Saskatchewan city was the runner-up at the fourth annual “Best of the Best” competition at the Western Canada Water conference in October.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the work that we are doing at the water treatment plant and the high degree of professionalism of all the staff,” Andy Busse, manager of Prince Albert’s water treatment plant, said.
“To be recognized as having some of the best drinking water in Western Canada is something very special that we are very proud of.”
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Busse noted the recognition has extra special significance after the challenges Prince Albert faced this past summer.
In July, a Husky Energy pipeline break near Maidstone, Sask., resulted in an estimated 225,000 litres of oil spilling into the North Saskatchewan River.
The spill caused communities downstream from the spill to close their main water intake from the river.
Prince Albert secured alternative sources through temporary water lines and used innovative treatment methods to ensure safe consumption.
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In September, the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) gave approval for Prince Albert, North Battleford and Melfort to once again divert and treat water from the North Saskatchewan River.
An assessment indicated that oil components detected in the river do not present unacceptable health risks.
The City of Prince Albert said their engineering team had gone above and beyond by developing a multi-barrier system to further address potential hydrocarbon risks to ensure safe water was provided without interruption.
Three independent judges conducted the blind taste test of water samples submitted from utilities in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Newell County, Prince Albert, Rocky View and Stettler.
The Western Canada section of the American Water Works Association named Lethbridge the winner.
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