Town of Hanna council agrees on new water system pump

Stu Salkeld,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Hanna town council agreed an elderly water pump should be replaced before it fails completely. The topic was discussed at council’s information meeting Feb. 26.

Readers should information meetings, which some municipalities call “committee of the whole” (COW) meetings, are for information purposes only. Any formal or binding resolutions must be held at the next regular council meeting.

Councillors read a report from Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Matthew Norburn from the Henry Kroger Regional Water Services Commission regarding a primary water pump for the Town of Hanna; the existing one is said to be elderly and poised for failure.

“Garth Carl, CAO of Henry Kroeger Regional Waters Services Commission has provided a quote for the replacement of Pump 6, with three available options provided,” stated Norburn in his memo to council. “Each option incorporates a 60 hp motor and allows for the reuse of the existing discharge head, thereby avoiding any modifications to the distribution header.

“The replacement quotes stand at $60,735.60, $70,955.60, and $91,846.30 for the three options respectively.

“The differences among the options are minimal, largely coming down to branding and slight variations in quality. The current pump utilizes an outdated fixed solid shaft motor, and its replacement is imperative because it is the last fixed shaft pump among a dozen currently in operation.

“The new pumps feature a modern design with a hollow shaft that can be adjusted from the top of the motor, which represents a significant upgrade. With an estimated lead time of 18 to 20 weeks, the best-case scenario for installation would be mid-July.”

During discussion Norburn stated the commission obtained three quotes but after discussing them with the commission, staff advised the lowest priced one should be fine. “He said you don’t need the most expensive one,” said Norburn.

Mayor Danny Povaschuk added that the existing pump is about 30 years old and is looking it’s age; he explained that usually the commission looks at rebuilding pumps to ensure the greatest return on the taxpayer’s dollar but in this case the existing pump seems to be past that point and replacement is the best option.

Povaschuk stated the town got its money’s worth from that pump.

Coun. Vern Thuroo agreed with replacement, as failure could mean a disruption of the water service, “…because one day it’s just going to crater and we don’t have water.”

Mayor Povaschuk clarified that the Town of Hanna does have a back-up pump for those situations; however, once the back-up is in action, there is no “back-up to the back-up.”

Councillors discussed the pump options, with Povaschuk noting photos of the existing pump were provided so councillors knew its issues.

Next, councillors discussed where the money would come from for the lowest priced pump.

“Additionally, while the town’s annual budget allocates $50,000 to water reserves, the plan for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 is to dedicate $25,000 per year to the reserves and allocate the remaining $25,000 toward the pump repair or replacement,” stated the CAO’s report.

Councillors agreed the $60,000 option should be pursued.

Stu Salkeld,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
East Central Alberta Review