Winkler's Growth Hinges On Wastewater Capacity "We Are At The Edge"

Winkler's explosive growth is bumping up against the city's wastewater capacity.

The city's total value of work in 2017 reached nearly $40 million, more than the value of work in Morden, RM of Stanley and RM of Thompson combined.

While exciting, "we need to make sure we're playing ahead of the game," Winkler Mayor Martin Harder says.

Winkler is reaching capacity based on approved developments. However, the city's planning committee was recently informed there are approximately 740 residential units currently being proposed by various developers.

The situation puts in sharp focus the need for the upcoming Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"We have known for a number of years we are close to capacity," Harder says. "We want to encourage the province and the feds we are really at the edge."

Winkler is partnering with the RM of Stanley and the City of Morden on a $88.9 million regional project.

"It's imperative we get the funds approved so we can get that ball rolling," Harder says. "We're ready to go, and we're looking forward to having the support to allow growth to continue."

Morden Planning and Engineering Director Dave Haines explains the partners have submitted an application for Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Funding to cost-share the regional wastewater treatment strategy to "bring the two urban centres of Morden and Winkler, and two growing rural population centres (Reinfeld and Schanzenfeld) into environmental compliance with the latest federal and provincial water quality standards, and facilitate economic and population growth."

The grant application requests the feds cover 50 percent the total cost, and the province 25 percent.

While the plant would be built at Winkler’s lagoon, Schanzenfeld and Reinfeld would eventually tie into the facility; Morden will have a decentralized facility.

The City of Winkler facility is estimated at $46.7 million.

City Manager Barb Dyck explains they're waiting on the Feds and Province to announce their level of funding to determine Winkler's portion. The city hopes to see the Feds cover 40 percent and the Province at least 30 percent. She notes they have a general estimate of $12 million.

Morden's component includes a request for a new plant and collection system improvements, at a total cost of $25 Million. Morden is currently designing a treatment plant, called the Morden Water Resource Recovery Facility for a design horizon to 2045, immediately sized for a population of approximately 24,000.

Stanley CAO Dale Toews explains the RM intends to purchase capacity in the new Winkler Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, which would provide capacity for various areas of the RM to expand on existing sewer capacity as well as provide to existing un-served areas.

The RM has commissioned an engineering study to complete design work on a LPS – Low Pressure Sewer Wastewater Collection System for the communities of Schanzenfeld and Reinfeld, which would include construction of a main lines, force mains, lift stations and odour control facilities. Toews explains engineering work has not yet been completed but is expected to be finished by summer 2018.