Test project may see improvements to Gleichen’s water

Shannon LeClair 

Times Reporter

 

Complaints over the taste and odour of potable water in Gleichen may be solved for the first time next fall. 

David Churchill, Manager of Transportation and Infrastructure for Wheatland County, told council members at the Sept. 20 meeting he might have found a solution. 

SHAC Ponder has been approved by council and meets water treatment specifications. Churchill asked to begin a test project with it. Previously there had been no products available to try to improve the situation caused by algae. 

Algae have been an ongoing cause of the water problems in Gleichen, and though it is safe, the odour and taste have residents bringing in their own water. 

“The algae blooms that happen in the raw water reservoir is where the problem originates, and that’s been an ongoing problem for years. Part of the reason is that reservoir is quite a large surface area but not very deep, so hence the water warms up in the summer,” said Gerry Van Ooostwaard, Public Works Superintendent for Wheatland County.

He said when you have a deep body of water, the water never gets warm but with a shallow lake does get warm and is no different then a reservoir. The warmth causes algae to bloom, affecting the water quality.

The drinking water comes from the reservoir and then goes into the water treatment plant. The filters can take all the bacteria out but can’t get rid of the smell and taste. 

“It’s not like an instant overnight success. You’re supposed to treat your water with it, according to manufacturers, three times a year, spring, summer, and fall and over time it should have an impact on reducing that,” said Van Ooostwaard.

“The problem always comes later in the summer so it’s our intention to treat the water again in the spring, summer and fall next year, three times. By later in the summer (we) hope that has some impact.”