Funding Secured from Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for Shaunavon’s 2023/24 UV Disinfection Upgrades Project

The Town of Shaunavon is thrilled to announce that funding has been secured for our 2023/24 UltraViolet Disinfection Upgrades Project under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to assist with the eligible costs to upgrade the final two wells to incorporate ultraviolet (UV) light as the source of primary disinfection. The project will be funded in part by the Government of Canada ($458,534), the Government of Saskatchewan ($382,074) and the Town of Shaunavon ($305,727).

“This is fantastic news for our community. Safe and reliable drinking water is essential for our residents and businesses to grow and prosper. These upgrades to our well treatment system will enable us to reduce the amount of chemicals added to our water by using UV disinfection technology to ensure our water is safe and of the highest quality. The ICIP grant also allows us to budget money for other upgrades to our infrastructure that we would have otherwise spent on this much needed UV project.” – Mayor Kyle Bennett

In Spring 2018, The Town of Shaunavon initiated a pilot project on Well #5 to add the process of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection to the water before it enters the distribution system, to achieve primary disinfection. After inspection by the Water Security Agency and evaluation by Council, the Town of Shaunavon declared that the pilot project met its objectives and would move forward to apply for funding under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). Secured funding was then received to upgrade an additional four (4) of the existing well sites to include UV Light disinfection systems. The incorporation of UV disinfection is much more cost effective as it will reduce the usage of chlorine while improving consumer safety and the quality of drinking water. Chlorine will then only be required to maintain secondary disinfection.

For more information on the official announcement from the Government of Saskatchewan, please visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2023/october/24/improved-water-infrastructure-is-coming-to-nine-saskatchewan-communities