The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant (BPWTP) has issued a notice reassuring any residents of Moose Jaw or Regina who have noticed differences in the taste and smell of their tap water — it might be unusual, but it is safe to drink and meets all regulatory requirements.
The BPWTP has a Q&A posted on its website explaining the twice-a-year phenomenon, but has also issued an advisory this spring because of a significant early season algae bloom in Buffalo Pound Lake.
Buffalo Pound Lake is the source water for Regina’s and Moose Jaw’s drinking water. From May to November, the BPWTP uses granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration to remove taste and odour from the water. During the winter, when taste and odour are less of a concern, the GAC is removed from the treatment process and regenerated.
Twice a year, after the changeover in November and May, there are a number of customers who notice the difference. Fortunately, while there might be a period of adjustment, the water continues to be safe to use and drink.
The plant's GAC filters have completed their regeneration process as of May 1, and staff at the BPWTP are currently preparing to reactivate the GAC system during the week of May 15.
Normally, the plant noted in its release, the GAC filters go into operation in late May — typically well before algae blooms start. This year is an exception.
Because of the unusual early algae bloom, staff at the BPWTP have been adding powdered activated carbon to the water for the past week. However, this measure is temporary and not as effective as the GAC filters.
The BPWTP is currently undergoing a $325 million renewal. Construction is expected to be complete by 2025. One of the improvements the finished renewal project will add is the ability for the plant to effectively control taste and odour year-round.
For now, to keep construction on schedule, the water treatment plant has had to shorten the duration in which GAC filtration can be used. The GACs were removed from service in November 2022 just prior to another unusual taste and odour event resulting from the decay of large amounts of algae and weeds that grew in Buffalo Pound Lake the previous summer season. That odour event lasted about 6 weeks, although relatively few customers noticed enough of a difference to complain.
The BPWTP reassured customers that complaints about water quality are always investigated to ensure the water meets regulatory standards. Staff are eagerly anticipating the 2025 upgrade completion date that will allow year-round taste and odour consistency.
