Russell Wastewater Treatment Upgrade

Don't think you can get excited about a lagoon? When you consider that the benefits of a project like the Russell wastewater treatment upgrade mean safer water and a cleaner environment, you may just change your mind.

The upgrades are expected to be complete by the beginning of September 2007, which is a great relief to Russell Mayor Merril Kiliwnik. Funding from the Manitoba Rural Infrastructure Fund was announced in June 2005, but Mayor Kiliwnik said the project has been needed for much longer.

"The community is well aware of what is required," said Mayor Kiliwnik. The mayor went on to explain that the project had been met with numerous delays before the town could even apply for funding. Most of the delays came in acquiring the property needed to expand the lagoon.

"There were negotiations and deals and more negotiations," he said.

Mayor Kiliwnik cites a growing business community and population for the need to expand the lagoon. "On the last census, we were in the plus side. For a small community, that's a positive."

"Fortunately we were able to get the infrastructure funding because the capacity of the old lagoon was full," he added.

Part of the project is the addition of another secondary cell, increasing the storage capacity of the lagoon. This will extend storage periods, reduce the toxicity of the discharge to safe levels and eliminate the need for emergency discharges when the lagoon gets too full.

The existing cells will be coated with a synthetic lining, keeping wastewater from leeching into the groundwater table.

The upgrades will not only mean cleaner and safer water for the town of Russell, but is also expected to benefit the village of Binscarth and the RMs of Russell, Silver Creek and Shellmouth Boulton, which are all part of a tax sharing agreement.

"We've got a deal with the RM of Shellmouth Boulton to use it. It makes the lagoon that much more viable," said Mayor Kiliwnik. "We're like one big community. The lagoon benefits us all."