Debates of February 10, 2006 (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week I did a Member's statement in regard to the water treatment plant in Sachs Harbour. I understand that early last week they had major problems again with the treatment plant freezing up in Sachs. Mr. Speaker, the project started in the summer of 2004, and we're in 2006 now and they're still encountering the same problems of freezing up at the water plant and also the pipeline intake. My question is for the Minister of Public Works and Services. Can he give us an update from last week in regard to what the department has done to rectify the problem? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. The honourable Minister responsible for Public Works, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 379-15(4): Water Treatment Plant In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the latest information I received, we had a contractor go up there again to thaw out the line and look at why it froze up again. As I stated last week, between the designer of the water treatment plant, Public Works and Services, and Municipal and Community Affairs, we're working on looking at what needs to be changed. The feeling is that the long piping going from the treatment plant into the water lake is probably the reason why the insulation on the piping has deteriorated, and we're putting a project together to look at replacing that whole length of line. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 379-15(4): Water Treatment Plant In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister of Public Works and Services indicate exactly when that problem will be rectified? He mentioned that they're looking at maybe changing the pipeline. I'm just wondering, when can the people of Sachs Harbour have the water treatment plant running in correct order? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 379-15(4): Water Treatment Plant In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Public Works and Services, along with Municipal and Community Affairs, are going to have to come up with what the actual project will be to get this system repaired and fully operational so that we don't have any more freeze-ups. We're going to have to work with the other department and come up with the budget line, and then put it into the process for review. So I don't have an actual time, but we're working with Municipal and Community Affairs. Obviously we're going to have to come forward with something in a supplementary appropriation at a future date because it's a continuing problem; we need to repair it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 379-15(4): Water Treatment Plant In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm just wondering, I know last week I asked the Minister in regard to if the contract was given out. I'm just wondering, this is 2004, the summer of 2004. It's been very costly finding the contractor, the freezing up of the problem. When I made a visit to Sachs Harbour in early January, Mr. Speaker, you know, I talked with the Minister about this on my return visit back to Yellowknife and it appears that early January to now, and I don't know how much longer it's going to take to rectify the problem. I'm just wondering, what more can the department do? The people in Sachs are having a hard time trying to…They drill holes in the lake. Will the problem actually be done? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 379-15(4): Water Treatment Plant In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the situation that we face right now in Sachs Harbour, along with our problems with the water line itself, as I understand, the water trucks in the community actually had problems as the garage up in Sachs Harbour, I understand the furnace ran out of fuel, froze up the unit. There was a team that went up there to do the repairs, I believe on the 6th or the 7th of this last week to make those types of repairs. So my understanding is that that is now either underway or been repaired, as well as looking at the water treatment plant itself. But as for coming up with a plan to date as to what's the actual fix, right now our discussions with the designer, Public Workers and Services, Municipal and Community Affairs is that it's to do with the length of the line, and we're going to have to look at replacing that length of line. We have to come up with a project itself, a new design and a costing of that. So I can't give the Member an actual date. We're working on it with Municipal and Community Affairs to come up with something as soon as we can, understanding that the community can't be left in a position of having to drill holes in the lake to get their water. Thank you.