Released on July 4, 2019
SaskWater’s commitment to being a trusted service provider and partner led to another successful year for the Crown corporation in 2018-19.SaskWater’s 2018-19 annual report, tabled today, highlights a year of financial successes, including earnings of $7.9 million, and demonstrates how the corporation aligns with the government’s vision for a strong and growing Saskatchewan.
“This year again, SaskWater has delivered innovative and effective water and wastewater solutions to its customers, grown its business, and invested in Saskatchewan’s health and prosperity,” Minister Responsible for SaskWater Bronwyn Eyre said. “SaskWater provides unmatched quality and expertise as it delivers its services in the province.”
Customer growth for SaskWater in 2018-19 included signing a service agreement with the Rural Municipality (RM) of Sherwood. Under the new agreement, SaskWater took on the commissioning duties for the RM’s newly-constructed water treatment plant, and the RM entrusted its ongoing operation and maintenance to SaskWater’s team of certified operators.
Major projects and infrastructure upgrades were also a priority to ensure the sustainability and safety of SaskWater’s water and wastewater systems in 2018-19. The construction of a new water treatment plant in Melville is nearing completion, and commissioning is expected by 2020. In addition, significant investment went into ongoing refurbishment of SaskWater pipelines and canals serving areas east of Saskatoon.
The 2018-19 year put SaskWater on excellent footing for ongoing success, as three projects were approved for funding through the New Building Canada Plan. The cost-sharing program will provide provincial and federal dollars toward an $8.47 million upgrade to Melfort’s regional water treatment plant, a $3.15 million sewage lagoon expansion in Pierceland, and the construction of a $12.2 million regional potable water supply system, east of Lloydminster.
Hot, dry weather conditions this past year caused increased demand for potable water from SaskWater’s customer communities. The corporation also saw a rise in demand from five of its seven operating potash mines. These factors, combined with population growth around the major cities that SaskWater serves, contributed to increased revenue for SaskWater in 2018-19.
SaskWater’s continued financial success is a reflection of its contributions to community development and a thriving Saskatchewan economy. The provincial Crown utility continues to supply safe, reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services in a fiscally responsible manner.
Other highlights of SaskWater’s activities in 2018-19 included:
- Delivering 47.7 billion litres of potable and non-potable water.
- Project-managing 32 initiatives in northern Saskatchewan on behalf of the Ministry of Government Relations and the Northern Municipal Trust Account, 14 of which are grant-funded.
- Investing $24.4 million into the Saskatchewan economy for capital projects, including new construction and expansion, infrastructure refurbishment and asset management programs, ensuring the ongoing delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services.
- Paying a dividend of $3.7 million to the province.
SaskWater's annual report is available online at www.saskwater.com.
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For more information, contact:
Suzanne Boyer
SaskWater
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-690-8790
Email: suzanne.boyer@saskwater.com