Installation of an ultraviolet water treatment system for District of Clearwater’s Russell Creek is 99 per cent complete, public works superintendent Jared Brounstein reported recently.
The District is still working with the engineers, Urban Systems, to determine the best approach for noncompliant booster pumps. Until the pump situation is addressed, the municipality will hold back funds.
On a related matter, Clearwater council voted to waive the requirements of the District’s purchasing policy and allow the sole sourcing of the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) services to ICI Electrical and Control Consulting Ltd.
The existing SCADA system is antiquated and unreliable, Brounstein reported.
As part of the upgrades to the Russell Creek intake it became apparent that it would be necessary to address the District’s SCADA system as a whole.
Advantages for dealing with ICI include that it is based in Kamloops, is familiar with Clearwater’s system, has a proven track record, and specializes in instrumentation, including SCADA.
A SCADA system has three main elements: various remote telemetry units, communications, and a human-machine interface.
The remote units collect information at various sites while communications brings that information to a central location. The human-machine interface displays the information in graphic form, archives the date, transmits alarms, and permits operator control.
Total budget for the SCADA project was put at $450,000 over five years.
Other infrastructure projects underway include planning for taking over road maintenance within municipal boundaries next fall.
An expression of interest for road maintenance was released in late January and three written submissions have been received.
A staff report is being developed to give alternatives to town council for road maintenance service levels.
The public works department is also reviewing the District’s water production records to better understand the water system and the potential for leakage. A leak audit is being looked at.
