A photo from a previous City of North Battleford council meeting at the Don Ross Centre chamber. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

By battlefordsNOW staff

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Electrical failure pushes North Battleford to advance $770K water plant upgrade

Apr 24, 2026 | 4:45 PM

A recent electrical failure at North Battleford’s main water treatment plant is forcing council to decide whether or not to accelerate a major infrastructure upgrade expected to cost more than $770,000.

A report going to Monday’s council meeting said the F.E. Holliday Water Treatment Plant’s motor control centre experienced electrical arcing on April 17 due to corrosion, which damaged several systems, including the plant’s control computer and a heating unit motor.

Staff were able to restore operations by reconfiguring unused components, but the report said corrosion within the system may have contributed to previous equipment failures and electrical faults.

The replacement of the motor control centre had been scheduled for completion in 2028, but administration is now recommending the project be moved up, with design and procurement beginning this year and completion targeted for 2027.

The updated cost estimate for the project is $770,000 plus $46,200 in PST, up from a previous estimate of $400,000.

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To fund the accelerated timeline, council is being asked to reallocate money from other capital projects, including postponing a planned generator project and using savings from another installation.

The proposal would direct about $466,667 in 2026 toward the work, with the remaining funds to be approved in the 2027 capital budget.

Council also has the option of maintaining the original timeline, which would see design begin in 2027 and completion in 2028.

In a separate item, council will consider awarding a contract to modernize the city’s wastewater treatment plant control system, which administration said has become outdated and difficult to use as the system has expanded.

Administration is recommending awarding the contract, valued at $203,517 including taxes, to MPE, a division of Englobe. The project is already included in the city’s capital budget.

Council will also review a proposed subdivision in the Fairview Heights neighbourhood to allow for the development of an apartment building.

Administration said the application meets all provincial and municipal requirements and is recommending approval.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by battlefordsNOW staff

Electrical failure pushes North Battleford to advance $770K water plant upgrade

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