PRRD exploring water well drilling for Rose Prairie Water Station

ROSE PRAIRIE, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has approved experimental water well drilling for Rose Prairie Water Station at 15615 259 Road in North Pine.

The district received approval from the regional board on May 30th, 2024, to locate a new water source near the station that can be treated using the same treatment process.

The exploration will assess the volume of water that can be extracted and test the water for treatability according to the PRRD.

The station was supposed to open on February 21st, 2021 but after explosive gas and low oxygen levels were discovered the day prior, the board decided to officially shut down the station in March. 

Before the closure, the PRRD spent $919,169 to build the water station and another $407,233 in operational expenditures.

The shutdown resulted in a virtual town hall, informing residents and presenting options for the station’s future, including possible alternate locations.

A feasibility study costing $97,668.70 was awarded to Tetra Tech to identify new water sources in the area for a new station.

The study has since been completed, indicating there is potential for accessing groundwater close to the existing station. 

The PRRD says findings and recommendations for future actions will be presented to the Electoral Area Directors Committee (EADC) in October this year. 

There are five potable water station locations in Electoral Area B, each offering a tank loader and a small bottle fill available all day.

The PRRD awarded a contract to operate the five potable water treatment and bulk loading stations to Aquatech Canadian Water Services Ltd. back in April.

More information can be found on the PRRD website or contact Environmental Services at environmental.services@prrd.bc.ca or calling 250-784-3200.