Extension of Buffalo Pound Non-Potable Water Supply System increases capacity to serve industrial customers around Regina

For many decades, Associated Engineering has proudly served the area of Buffalo Pound Lake in Southern Saskatchewan near Moose Jaw. Over the years, we have successfully provided engineering services for water treatment facilities, lake intakes, pumping facilities, instrumentation systems, vulnerability assessments, and large diameter potable and non-potable water pipelines.  

As Saskatchewan’s commercial Crown water utility, SaskWater has a mandate to provide water services to communities, industries, pipeline groups, and individual users across the province. The Crown corporation engaged Associated Engineering to develop the Buffalo Pound Non-Potable Water Supply System (BPNPWSS) - Regina Regional Project, an extension of the BPNPWSS-East (another Associated Engineering project), in southcentral Saskatchewan near the community of Belle Plaine, between Moose Jaw and Regina.  

Associated Engineering’s scope of work includes design basis, preliminary and detailed design, procurement, and construction. Our team consists of specialists in project management, and civil, structural, fluid dynamics, electrical, instrumentation, controls, and process-mechanical engineering. Associated's current focus is the $70 million pipeline portion of the project.

The extension of one of SaskWater’s major industrial water systems will supply non-potable water to industrial customers in the Regina area. The Regina Regional System currently includes approximately 65 kilometres of 400 to 600 millimetre diameter non-potable water pipeline, two booster pump stations, metering stations, and related appurtenances. 

A major challenge for the pipeline portion of the work was cost control. The team selected a unique procurement process to help manage costs. Project Manager, Darin Schindel, explains, "Together with SaskWater, we completed the pipeline design to approximately 70% design completion, and then requested proposals from pre-qualified bidders. We engaged the successful bidder to assist in selecting the most cost-effective material to install within an optimal schedule." Ductile iron was selected as the main pipeline material.

The team addressed additional project challenges, such as land control, the desire to use shared Crown Corporation corridors, and changes to delivery points for some key customers. 

Based on geotechnical investigations and environmental studies, auger bore drilling for trenchless installation was recommended as the final route passed through the ecologically sensitive Cottonwood, Wascana, and Boggy Creeks. Darin says, "Pro-active collaboration between the owner, consultant, and other project partners helped to navigate challenges."

As part of the booster pump stations and metering stations, the team is investigating using solar panels and net metering for building services power supply. 

The project is planned to be complete in Fall 2024.

As a result of the uniqueness of the project, students from SaskPolytechnic’s Engineering Design and Drafting Technology Program were invited for a tour of the pipeline. Chris Robart (SaskWater), Darin Schindel (Associated Engineering), and Deller Reddekop (Hamm Construction) led the class visit. SaskPoly Instructors, Shawn Young and Earl Wingert, helped students connect what they were seeing on-site with what they learned in the classroom.

CanNorth, an environmental consulting company that is 100% owned by the business arm of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in Saskatchewan, is providing environmental services for the project. Misty Clifton, a partnership between Misty Ventures from the Mistawasis First Nations in Saskatchewan and Clifton Associates, is undertaking the geotechnical compaction and railway monitoring testing. Scott Land & Lease, land acquisition specialists, are leading the landowner engagement and land acquisition for the project.

Our key personnel involved on the project include Darin Schindel, Keith Kingsbury, Kristin Sies, Bob Hawboldt, John Ullrich, and Josh Fichter.