Restoring access to safe water and delivering long-term water security to address a boil water advisory for a growing community

Berens River First Nation Water Treatment Plant Expansion

The Berens River First Nation depended on a water treatment plant that could no longer support their growing community from the standpoints of both capacity and condition. The aging plant failed to meet national drinking water standards, leading to a boil water advisory. Homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and other essential services lost reliable access to safe drinking water.

Our team reviewed the community’s future water needs and designed an expansion that would better serve them while also improving system resilience. After studying different treatment options, we selected a system that uses ultrafiltration followed by nanofiltration to attain high quality treated water. The design also included modern automation and controls, upgraded pumping systems for water distribution and fire protection, zebra mussel mitigation, and reuse of existing water storage reservoirs and building structures to help reduce costs. We supported efforts to lift the boil water advisory by coordinating watermain flushing, water sampling, and regulatory review. Construction was carefully planned and completed while the system remained in service, despite challenging ground conditions and limited records of the original facility.

With the upgrades complete, the plant now provides reliable drinking water and fire protection. Although many residents are connected to the piped distribution system, 25 percent of homes still rely on trucked water delivery. The new covered fill station and heated water truck storage garage enable year-round delivery for all residents. The new water treatment plant and water delivery infrastructure brings potable water directly to residents and avoids the previous need for residents to travel 70 kilometres (43 miles) to the nearest water supply. The overall system is also designed to accommodate an expansion of the network over the next 20 years.