Photo courtesy laronge.ca
According to the La Ronge Mayor Thomas Sierzycki, upgrades to the town’s water and sewage system are expected to be completed by the fall.
This after funding was announced for the project last summer.
Each time there is a power outage in the area, it results in a depressurization of the water system, forcing the town as well as Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band to issue a drinking water advisory.
The advisory usually stays on until officials can ensure no organics or particulates have entered the system. La Ronge Mayor Thomas Sierzycki says residents have been dealing with this issue for several years.
“When this does happen it affects business, healthcare, daycare and families across La Ronge that are now boiling water because of the drinking water advisory,” said Sierzycki.
Last August, funding from the provincial and federal government was announced to help complete a $4.2 million dollar upgrade on the system to ensure this problem doesn’t continue.
The Town of La Ronge is on the hook for one-twelfth of that investment.
“It is a benefit to everyone. It is an expensive project, but it did have to be done and it is being done with the most cost-effective measures in mind.”
Mayor Sierzycki says the project is about 60 percent complete, and they are hoping to have it finished by August or September, weather permitting.
Everyone who uses the current La Ronge water and sewage system is now under a drinking water advisory because of a power outage in the community on Monday night.