Click Here to view a chart of Daily Water Use

NEWS RELEASE - August 16, 2010

STAGE 4 WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES

Effective Thursday, August 19th, and until further notice, the City of Dawson Creek and the Village of Pouce Coupe are under Stage 4 water conservation measures.

During this time you must not:

• Water lawns, flower or vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs, trees, artificial turf or outdoor tracks;

• Fill or re-fill ponds, swimming pools, fountains, and hot tubs;

• Haul bulk water for non potable use;

• Wash sidewalks, driveways or any other outdoor surface.

 Washing of boats, RV’s or other motor vehicles is only permitted to ensure safe operation of the vehicle and/or visibility of licence plates and can only be done with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off device.

Permits to water newly seeded or turfed areas are no longer available and any previously issued permits are no longer valid.

Water levels in the Kiskatinaw River, the City’s sole water source are at historical lows and these conservation measures are required to conserve the water that is available to the municipality.

The City of Dawson Creek Water Conservation Measures Bylaw is available on our website at www.dawsoncreek.ca or can be obtained at City Hall. Any questions may be directed to Mr. Kevin Henderson, Director of Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, at (250) 784-3600.

*To view consumption amounts please see our water usage chart on our Water & Environmental webpage.

August 18, 2010

AGREEMENT REACHED ON RECLAIMED WATER PLANT

The City of Dawson Creek and Shell recently reached an agreement to build the City’s Reclaimed Water Plant (RWP). This 10-year agreement is subject to elector approval.

A unique approach used in only a few other jurisdictions in North America, the RWP will treat effluent currently released into the Dawson Creek to a standard suitable for industrial and municipal uses. This includes oil and gas production, dust control on roads and the watering of sports fields.

The use of reclaimed water will end the consumption of the City’s potable water for industrial purposes and will significantly reduce the amount drawn from the Kiskatinaw watershed.

“We all recognize the importance of water and the need to find long-term solutions for using such a limited resource,” said Mike Bernier, Mayor of Dawson Creek. “So we are very pleased with this agreement. It’s an opportunity that benefits both the people of Dawson Creek and local industry.”

Shell Development Manager Manuel Willemse said, “We were able to reach this agreement because our values are closely aligned with the City of Dawson Creek. The City and Shell both care about sustainability, and this agreement allows us to reduce our environmental footprint.

Shell will provide $9.75 million towards the cost of the project and the City will provide an estimated $1.5 million. Shell will retain the rights to the first 3400 cubic metres per day of the reclaimed water and the City will have the rights for the next 1100 cubic metres per day. Any further product above this will be evenly split between Shell and the City, with Shell paying for its share.

The City will fund its portion of the project out of its utility reserve accounts and will use the commercial sales of its allotment to recover construction and operating costs. The sale of the City’s portion of reclaimed water could result in revenues of more than $1 million per year.

This upgrade to the City’s infrastructure will meet future provincial and federal regulations for using reclaimed water and treatment of waste. Without this new agreement, the City could be facing a substantial investment in future sewer infrastructure.

With the RWP agreement, Shell will proceed with the construction of a pipeline to transport the water from the RWP to the Groundbirch area (pending consultation and regulatory approval). Shell plans to use the reclaimed water and recycled production water in its drilling operations.

The RWP will reduce the amount of surface water used for Shell’s development activities and as a result, minimize the impact on local water sources.

Public consultation will begin with a town hall meeting on September 13th at the Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre at 1100 95th Avenue, at 7:00 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Greg Dobrowolski
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Manager of Special Projects
Phone: 250-784-3619 Fax: 250-782-3203
Email: gdobrowolski@dawsoncreek.ca

Margaret Anne J Taylor
Senior Communications Representative
Shell Unconventional Gas
Tel: +1 403 384 5735
Cell: +1 403 813-2297
margaret.taylor@shell.com

CITY HALL NEWS

Click here to view report online, or a copy can be picked up at City Hall.