District of Clearwater faces significant financial implications if it is to develop a sustainable water source, public works superintendent Jared Brounstein reported to town council during a recent infrastructure committee meeting.
Maximum day demands (MDD) presently sits at 70 l/s and is predicted to rise to 115 l/s, he reported.
No one source can produce enough volume to meet the current MMD.
The Russell Creek water system was Clearwater's original water source. Water from three creeks, Russell, Hascheak and McDougall, is diverted into a storage pond.
The storage pond and intake on Russell Creek were constructed in 1971. A diversion structure and ditch were constructed in 1973 to divert water from MacDougall to Hascheak Creek.
This source is able to provide 24 l/s and it appears there is little additional flow available.
Well #1 was constructed in 1980 next to the Clearwater River in what is now Reg Small Park.
Drilling was ended at 22 m when it encountered a large boulder.
Water quantity is limited by the water level in the river. During periods of low water, the pump cannot operate at its set pumping rate.
Well #2, which is located across from Dutch Lake beach, was constructed in 1999.
In order to keep waterline pressures in the Dutch Lake area below 160 psi (110 m) the pump operates well below its 70 l/s capacity.
Water quality complaints increase if the pump operates at greater than 37 l/s.
Brounstein noted that the District has a license to extract about 10.5 l/s from the Clearwater River. This license was issued contingent on it being used before Dec. 31, 1984. However, the public works superintendent said it would be unusual for the ministry to cancel a community water license.