The laboratory division provides services in laboratories at the Water Treatment Plant. The chief chemist supervises and is responsible for laboratory services required at the facility, and related environmental programs. The research chemist carries out investigative studies and provides professional technical support for process control and related environmental programs. The Water Treatment Plant laboratory is accredited and routinely audited by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation to ensure standards are maintained. The laboratory staff and chemists conduct over 50,000 water quality tests a year, using state-of-the-art equipment, to ensure that Saskatoon’s drinking water is clean and safe. The following is a summary of the services provided:
- Monitors drinking water quality to ensure it is of a consistently high quality.
- Provides laboratory services necessary to support the operating and monitoring requirements for the Water Treatment Plant.
- Responds to consumer water quality concerns.
- Monitors water quality of distribution system and watershed.
- Provides services to Capital and related environmental programs.
The Water Treatment Plant adheres to the highest standards as set out by Saskatchewan Environment. As part of those standards, the City of Saskatoon is required to report once a year to consumers about the quality of water produced and supplied from the Water Treatment Plant. The Drinking Water Quality and Compliance 2010 (pdf) details the various water quality compliance standards within the Water Treatment Plant's Permit to Operate, and the related water sample results.
Dosage Ranges for Chemical Feed Operation
| Parameter |
Optimum |
Limits |
Comments |
|
| Lime |
55-65 mg/L |
30-70 |
- carbon dioxide is adjusted to prevent tap pH >9.0. If necessary, lime dosage can also be reduced. |
| |
|
|
- Increases usually required when raw hardness increases or raw temp decreases |
| Ferric Sulfate |
45-55 mg/L |
40-70 |
- Ensure ferric feed is altered with changing raw water clarity |
| Ammonia |
1.7-2.2 mg/L |
2.4 |
- Adjust to maintain tap free chlorine value between 0.1 and <0.3 |
| Chlorine |
2.5-3.5 mg/L |
2-5 |
- Maintain 1.7 mg/L total residual, 0.1 to 0.2 mg/L free |
|
|
|
- Notify Operations Superintendent if free chlorine in tap consistently over 0.3 mg/L |
| Fluoride |
0.7-0.9 mg/L |
1.2 |
- Turn off feeder if tap water over 1.1 and notify Operations Superintendent/Lab Coordinator |
|
|
|
- Reminder: Fluoride is dosage and not residual. |
| Potassium Permanganate |
0.3-0.4 mg/L |
0.25 - 0.80 |
- Increase during spring runoff or when river flow increases |
|
|
|
- Decrease if a distinct pink or purple colour exists beyond clarifier |
| Carbon Dioxide |
|
|
- Adjust to maintain tap pH 8.8-9.0 |