Red Deerians have little reason to worry about a water shortage or boil water advisory in the city.
While the heavy spring runoff in Lethbridge sparked a state of emergency because of pressure on the water treatment plant, city officials say Red Deer is in good shape.
Geoff Stewardson, acting Environmental Services manger, said the Red Deer River’s big melt doesn’t typically occur until mid-April.
And when it does, the peak usually lasts about a day.
Stewardson said the different tributaries that flow into the Red Deer River at different times melt at different stages.
The flow of the Red Deer River is regulated through the Dickson Dam.
“We don’t usually get hit with any form of massive interruption that we weren’t expecting,” said Stewardson. “Right now we’re in pretty good shape.”
In mid-April, water treatment staff monitor the river closely because this is the time when residents may hsave concerns with taste, odour and colour that could last for a couple of weeks.
“Even during the flood of 2005 with the high turbidity levels, we never had issues,” said Stewardson.
In fact, Red Deer has never had to issue a boil water advisory.
Stewardson said the plant is well set up to handle the volume of water coming in.
He said if anything there may be cases during the warmer weather when residents use too much water.
That’s when the city may put restrictions in place so the plant can catch up to supply the water needs.
The Red Deer River supplies drinking water for the City of Red Deer and many other cities and towns.
The river has its source in the Rocky Mountains and flows east and south to enter the South Saskatchewan River.