The Rural 44 Water Pipeline Utility recently announced the completion of a 300-km long water pipeline that now provides safe potable water piped directly to 103 homes in west-central Saskatchewan, thanks to a more than $18 million project.

Construction of the project began in May of 2021. The project included twinning a portion of the EK Raw Water line, building a Rural 44 Water Pipeline Utility (R44WPU) reservoir and pumphouse, upgrading the Town of Eston water treatment plant, and installing more than 300 km of water distribution line. All this work was completed by March 2023.

Work will continue on the R44WPU Pumphouse bulk filling station in Eston, which will allow all residents in the area to also haul water for home and agricultural use. It’s expected to be completed sometime in 2024.

The Government of Canada will be contributing up to $6,213,559 to the Rural 44 Water Distribution Project, and the Government of Saskatchewan will be contributing up to $6,213,559. Rural 44 Water Pipeline Utility subscribers, the RM of Snipe Lake No. 259, and the Town of Eston will fund the remainder of the project.

“Across Saskatchewan and Canada, our government’s infrastructure investments are improving the lives of Canadians – and this project is a great example of that. With the addition of safe and reliable drinking water infrastructure, we are improving the long-term health and prosperity of rural communities across west central Saskatchewan. To everyone at the Rural 44 Water Pipeline Utility – congratulations on the completion of a crucial project milestone,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to invest more than $6 million toward this important water project in west-central Saskatchewan,” said Mr. Ken Francis, MLA for Kindersley, on behalf of the Hon. Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations. “Completion of this significant milestone means area residents have access to better water which improves quality of life, positions the area for growth, and strengthens our province for this new decade and beyond.”

“We are excited to see years of planning and work become reality with the delivery of potable water to rural sites in this area. The Utility looks forward to serving our residents for years to come,” said Bill Owens, Rural 44 Water Pipeline Utility Board Chair.