Erickson Water System

Size and number of connections

The system services approximately 700 active connections and is the largest of the water systems managed by the RDCK.

Location

The system is located in Erickson, crossing the boundary of RDCK Electoral Areas B and C. 

Source 

The Erickson water system derives source water from Arrow Creek, which is classified as a Community Watershed. The creek has benefited for several years from an ongoing water quality monitoring program. Historic water quality data for Arrow Creek indicate that, in general, the water quality falls within acceptable levels for the majority of parameters in the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines. Coliform levels, however, typically exceed the criteria and exhibit high seasonal variability.

System description

This system was first developed in 1929.  In 2003, due to the failure of the Erickson Improvement District to remain in compliance with provincial water quality regulations, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs dissolved the system’s Board of Trustees. At that time, the system was converted to a RDCK service.

Treatment

In 2005 a new water treatment plant was commissioned on Arrow Creek following a referendum in which water users considered multiple options for treatment. This plant now serves the Erickson community as well as the Town of Creston. The treatment process includes coarse screening, settling, fine screening, membrane filtration, UV disinfection and residual disinfection by chlorination. A System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) unit allows for remote plant monitoring and operation.

Storage

An open pond currently provides storage for the Erickson system for fire fighting and additional water during peak demand periods. In the near future, however, this pond will be decommissioned and replaced with two closed concrete reservoirs.

Distribution system

11 kilometres of concrete, AC, and PVC mainlines provide drinking water to residents of Erickson and Creston. Several kilometers of the pipeline, constructed in 1929, are made of concrete joined together by grout collars. The distribution system was originally designed to operate as a flume and not as a pressurized system; leak repairs are therefore ongoing. In 2008 the RDCK replaced two kilometres of leaking pipe, saving millions of litres of potable water. In 2010, another 1 kilometre of pipe was replaced, reducing remaining leakage by approximately 50%. Future replacement of the remaining concrete pipe will result in additional water savings.

Fire-fighting

Storage and pressure in the Erickson system meet standardized requirements for fire protection.

Significant issues

Despite recent upgrades to portions the distribution network, the condition of aging pipelines continues to affect water quality in the Erickson system. Though the water produced by the treatment plant is of excellent quality, the potential for recontamination exists when water flows through the leaking concrete flumes.

The storage pond at the end of the mainline is also a source of contamination to the system. Although water drawn from the pond is treated with sufficient chlorine to ensure a residual is maintained, this does not necessarily eliminate the presence of giardia and cryptosporidium pathogens. During peak summer flows, users closest to the pond sometimes see debris, including insects, coming out of their taps.

Plans for future upgrades

The RDCK is implementing a phased approach to replacing or constructing infrastructure in the Erickson water system. The following upgrades are planned for the future:

• Decommissioning the storage pond
• Installing 2 concrete balancing reservoirs
• Constructing a clear well to buffer water production from the water treatment plant
• Replacing remaining concrete mainlines
• Installing water meters for agricultural customers (a trial with 10 customers is currently underway)

Governance

This system is currently owned and operated by the RDCK. The RDCK receives community-specific advice and policy guidance from the Erickson Water Distribution Service Commission. The RDCK maintains a separate office for management of the Erickson water system. This office can be reached at (250) 428-2612.