June 20, 2008 - Edmonton - EPCOR is officially opening the newly upgraded E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant today, highlighting its award-winning design that protects the environment while significantly increasing the capital region’s supply of clean drinking water.
“Our upgrades to the E.L. Smith water treatment plant ensure that the Capital Region will have clean and reliable supplies of drinking water to support future population and economic growth,” said Dr. Stephen Stanley, Senior Vice President of EPCOR Water Services. “These improvements represent a proud milestone because they set a new environmental standard when it comes to the design of future water infrastructure.”
The innovative design earned EPCOR and its partner in the project, Associated Engineering, the 2008 Emerald Award for environmental leadership. Through reusing existing infrastructure that may have otherwise been decommissioned, the upgrades increase the plant’s water production capacity by 150% while increasing the plant’s footprint by only 25%.
The design also included an award winning environmentally-friendly water disinfection system and the construction of a water intake system that diverts and returns fish safely downstream of the plant, preserving aquatic life in the North Saskatchewan River.
The family of Eugene Lloyd Smith, a water treatment pioneer in Edmonton after whom the plant is named, was on-hand for the opening ceremony and a plaque dedication.
EPCOR Utilities Inc. builds, owns and operates power plants, electrical transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure in Canada and the United States. EPCOR has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for eight consecutive years, and one of only 10 companies to be selected as Canada’s Most Earth-Friendly Employers. EPCOR is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta.
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