Buffalo Pound Plant Wins Major National Award
In the early 1980s the water from the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant was the butt of jokes from all over the province and beyond.
But today the plant that was the target of so many cheap shots just won a major national award.
By Submitted
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation (BPWTC), which supplies water to over 300,000 people in the Cities of Regina, Moose Jaw and surrounding region, has received national recognition, winning a significant 2026 Water Canada Award.
The Awards honour organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the quality of the Canadian water sector.
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation was the winner in the Drinking Water – Large Project category, which recognizes a large-scale drinking water project that sets a new standard for innovation and excellence in the Canadian water sector.
According to Water Canada, the recipient of this award demonstrates exceptional creativity and resourcefulness, using cutting-edge technologies or pioneering approaches to establish, enhance, rehabilitate, or rejuvenate drinking water infrastructure.
The corporation was one of four finalists from across Canada in the category.
“Receiving this national recognition is a tremendous honour for our corporation and everyone who has contributed to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant renewal. This is an ambitious, complex project that has required innovation, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to maintaining the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water throughout construction. Being recognized among the best water projects in Canada is a testament to what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to excellence,” said Ryan Johnson, CEO, Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation.
Ryan Johnson, CEO, Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation addresses the awards’ ceremony - submitted photo
The corporation achieved this significant milestone while undertaking a major renewal of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, a project that began construction in 2022 and is expected to be complete in spring 2027.
The Water Canada Award announcement notes “Upgrading a major plant while keeping clean water flowing to thousands of homes is like changing an engine while driving down the highway.”
With the assistance of the corporation’s owner’s advocate, led by Jacobs and supported by KGS Group and Carollo, the corporation was able to deliver this multi-year project using the Progressive Design Build model, and was the first to use this model for water infrastructure in Canada.
The corporation’s laser focus on delivering high-quality water to its customers has led to numerous water quality awards over the years, with the 2026 Water Canada Award for Drinking Water being the most significant.
Its ongoing work to deliver continuous water quality improvements over the years resulted in the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant becoming one of the first plants to pioneer the use of the Granular Activated Carbon filtration process for the removal of algae-produced taste and odour, a process which is now used by many plants across Canada for improved water quality.
According to Johnson, the Corporation’s quality water successes are due in large part to the water treatment expertise of its employees.
Ryan Johnson, CEO, Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation (right) accepts the award - submitted photo
“Our success has always been driven by the knowledge, experience and dedication of our employees. Their expertise and commitment to continuous improvement have helped the corporation deliver high-quality drinking water while embracing new technologies and approaches that strengthen water treatment. This award recognizes not only the renewal project, but also the people behind it and the important work they do every day to serve our communities,” said Johnson.
Construction, which is nearing completion, is being led by a consortium consisting of Graham-Aecon Joint Venture, Stantec and Associated Engineering.
The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation is owned jointly by the Cities of Moose Jaw and Regina.
The Water Canada Awards were announced and presented to recipients at the awards ceremony held in Toronto on October 22, 2026.