SaskWater 2023-24 Report: collaborates with WSA on irrigation expansion, highlights other water-related projects

In its annual report for the fiscal year 2023-24, SaskWater reported a net income of $8.7-million, an increase of $100-thousand from the previous year.

The Crown Corporation had a few highlights during the year. Of the $87-million in capital projects invested in, the most significant was the Regina Regional Non-potable Water Supply System, which SaskWater and a local contractor installed 65 kilometres of pipeline between Regina and Belle Plaine in 2023, joining to existing water supply infrastructure. SaskWater says “this phased construction design allows additional capacity to be added as customer demand grows, helping SaskWater provide timely and competitive services.”

SaskWater also collaborated with the Water Security Agency to expand irrigation along its Saskatoon Southeast Water Supply System. The canal system serves three potash mines and provides irrigation 20-thousand acres of land. In ’23-’24, SaskWater expanded its irrigated acres by 3-thousand and got approval to grow that to 7-thousand 7-hundred. A total of 15-thousnd acres have been identified for irrigation expansion by 2026-27.

“SaskWater also looks forward to providing service to SaskPower’s new Aspen Gas-fired power plant, set to come online in 2027.” adds a news release.

A new service offering communities occasional or temporary assistance with troubleshooting or staffing of their water and wastewater facilities was offered by SaskWater, in partnership with a Saskatchewan-based start-up tech company.

“We look forward to building relationships and trust with municipalities across Saskatchewan,” SaskWater President and CEO Doug Matthies said. “In doing so, we hope that these new partners will look to SaskWater should they need broader solutions down the road, particularly in terms of potential regional benefits.”

SaskWater recorded a customer satisfaction rating in 2023-24 of 8.5 out of ten, its highest ever according to the provincial entity, and a total of 92.5 per cent of customers surveyed reported satisfaction with SaskWater services. It also noted several customer water supply agreements were being renewed or extended in the long-term.

SaskWater owns nine water treatment plants, three wastewater facilities, 136.94 kilometres of canal and 1,055 kilometres of pipeline currently in service.

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