Vale Manitoba Operations is spending $11 million on its water treatment plant in Thompson, the company said in a Feb. 22 media release.
"We look forward to a successful project which will enable us to continue supplying the best quality water possible to residents of Thompson," said Lovro Paulic, Manitoba Operations general manager responsible for smelting and refining.
The upgrades, which will include the addition of an air scour system, a new chlorine system, more chlorination points, sample points, and changes to the reservoir valving and flow in addition to upgrades to the computer system and filters, are expected to begin this month and last approximately one year.
The purpose for the upgrades, Vale said, is to "meet and exceed new water regulations coming into effect in 2012." Under the terms and conditions of Vale's operating license for the plant, the company has until March 1, 2012, to achieve greater levels of treatment and filtration.
The project was designed by engineering consulting firm CH2M Hill, while the work has been contracted out to Wescan Mechanical and Electrical.
"In keeping with its SafeProduction culture, several measures will be in place to constantly assess and manage risk during the construction period," noted the release. "The public is asked to participate in this risk management process by minimizing water use during the length of the project. Vale will maintain frequent communication with the community and government as part of that risk management process."
In August 2009, Thompson was placed under a nearly week-long boil water advisory when maintenance work at the plant required a brief shutoff of electricity to the building. Once power was restored, it was noticed that the treatment process was upset and that the levels of turbidity - the amount of solid particles in the water - was slowly increasing, which brought about the advisory until repairs could be completed.
