Estevan city council gave the green light Monday night for Phase 2 of the water intake project to proceed.
The intake project will shift Estevan鈥檚 primary water source from Boundary Dam to Rafferty Dam, which is expected to improve water quality in the city.
The first phase involved the hookup inside the water treatment plant for the pipeline that will carry the water from Rafferty Dam, and the construction of 6.2 kilometres of pipeline.
Phase 2 of the project consists of installation of a raw water intake, a pump house, security around the structure and a gravel road.
Due to environmental requirements, Phase 2 will have to be constructed during the winter season.
鈥淲e only had two companies send back tenders due to the complexity of the intake. Installing an intake underwater in the winter requires specialized equipment and personnel.鈥�
The project was awarded to Greenfield Construction for a little more than $6 million. The price does not include contingency or taxes.
Council members expressed concern with the cost, since it came in over-budget for the phase, and there is still one phase remaining.
Still, Bucsis pointed out that the cost for the project has been lower now that it has been broken up into three phases. When it was sent to tender as one comprehensive project, it came in over budget.聽
The city received support from the federal and provincial governments for the water intake project.
This week鈥檚 edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.聽
