Rainy River Water Treatment Study and Systems Upgrade
Facing a public health risk from elevated carcinogen levels in its drinking water, the Town of Rainy River needed a practical solution that fit within their existing plant footprint to remedy the situation. KGS Group, in collaboration with the University of Manitoba, conducted detailed pilot studies comparing ion exchange and nanofiltration to determine the most effective, operationally feasible way to reduce carcinogen levels in the drinking water.
Ion exchange was selected because it avoided costly building expansion and offered simpler operations and maintenance for the Town. We then provided engineering services for the design, construction and commissioning of the new ion exchange treatment system, integrating it with the plant’s existing processes and controls.
The upgraded system exceeded Health Canada’s Guideline for Canadian Drinking Water Quality for carcinogens and reduced chlorine consumption by 40%. The project addressed a serious health concern while optimizing use of Rainy River’s existing assets. The Town also received a commendation from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in recognition of the project’s success.
Project Highlights
- Designed the new ion exchange system and integrated it with existing plant processes
- Reduced chlorine consumption levels by 40%
- New system exceeds Health Canada’s Guideline for Canadian Drinking Water Quality
Brandon Third Street Dam Replacement
For more than 70 years, the Third Street Dam on the Assiniboine River supported the City of Brandon’s drinking water supply and provided social, environmental and commercial benefits. When the dam was irreparably damaged, KGS Group moved quickly to design temporary emergency measures that limited further habitat impacts and preserved Brandon’s water supply.
We then developed a functional, cost-effective, permanent solution that also removes a 70-year-old barrier to fish passage. The new overflow rockfill weir, with a low flow rock ramp fishway, preserves Brandon’s water supply, restores fish passage, adds spawning habitat, and improves the safety and aesthetics of the river adjacent to Dinsdale Park.
Working with the City of Brandon and regulators, the team demonstrated how preserving vital infrastructure can go hand‑in‑hand with prioritizing and enhancing the environment.
Project Highlights
- Designed and implemented temporary emergency measures to stabilize the river and maintain municipal water supply during dam failure
- Constructed an overflow rockfill weir to replace the damaged dam and secure long‑term water levels for intake reliability
- Constructed a low‑flow rock ramp fishway to restore year‑round fish passage and remove a 70‑year barrier
- Integrated spawning habitat through rock ramp geometry and material gradation, enhancing local fisheries
Town of Ogema Water Treatment Plant
To address persistent water quality issues in the Town of Ogema, KGS Group designed a new treatment solution to improve taste and reduce dissolved minerals. The existing greensand filters had been relatively successful in removing high iron and manganese, but were not capable of removing elevated alkalinity, sulfates, hardness and total dissolved solids from the groundwater supply drawn from two nearby wells.
To increase the palatability of the finished water, KGS Group was retained to provide detailed design services for a brand-new water treatment plant using reverse osmosis membranes. A pilot study was first conducted to determine if direct feeding the reverse osmosis membranes from the wells would be an acceptable long-term solution. With great success from the study, the final design for direct feed membranes was completed in early 2019. The work also included design and construction of a new below-grade concrete reservoir, building and vertical turbine distribution pumps.
The new plant was commissioned in early 2020 and has received significant praise from the town for exceptional water quality.
Project Highlights
- Conducted a pilot study to determine the best long-term solution
- Provide detailed design services for a brand-new water treatment plant using reverse osmosis membranes
- Design and construction of a new below-grade concrete reservoir
Emerson Port-of-Entry
To improve security and efficiency at the Port of Emerson, the Canada Border Services Agency wanted to shifted commercial inspections to a dedicated area separate from passenger traffic. In collaboration with Verne Reimer Architects, KGS Group delivered municipal and transportation design and construction support for $4.5 million in site works.
The project included design and construction support for three primary inspection lanes, a four-lane thoroughfare, staff parking lot, commercial parking lot, commercial loading bay, site grading, building services, land drainage system and highway signage.
Coordinated with Manitoba Infrastructure and the North Dakota Department of Transportation, the project improves traffic processing by diverting commercial vehicles from North Dakota Interstate 29 through CBSA‘s commercial facility, rejoining Manitoba Highway 75 north of the port. This project establishes the Port of Emerson as Manitoba’s first Free and Secure Trade (FAST) port, expediting border processing for participants registered to the program.
Project Highlights
- Designed three primary inspection lanes, four‑lane thoroughfare, parking lots and a loading bay
- Improved drainage with a new land drainage system
- Supported the establishment of Manitoba’s first Free and Secure Trade (FAST) port to expedite processing for registered participants
Brady Road Resource Management Facility Road Renewals
KGS Group was retained by the City of Winnipeg for preliminary design, detailed design and contract administration services to complete the asphalt reconstructions of Charette Road and Payette Road. This project included 2,590 metres of 2-lane asphalt roadway with improved ditch drainage, French drain cutoffs and culvert installations within the Brady Road Resource Management Facility.
Our designs included a robust pavement structure, drainage improvements (ditch cleanout, grading, French drains and culvert replacement), utility relocations (underground plant and pole structure relocations) and improved geometry assessed through vehicular swept-path analysis. In addition to this, we provided a comprehensive traffic management plan to ensure continual use of the facility during construction.
The result is a permanent, heavy-duty driving surface for residential, commercial and operational users to safely access the Brady Road Resource Management Facility.
Project Highlights
- Preliminary design, detailed design and contract administration services to complete the asphalt reconstructions of Charette Road and Payette Road
- Coordination with agencies, utilities and Manitoba Hydro
- The reconstructed roads reduced dust and mud issues, while extending the road life under heavy loads
- The design included ditch drainage improvements, utility relocations and improved geometry of the road