Although the water is encroaching upon it like a conquering horde poised to attack, the City of Estevan's water treatment plant has been able to withstand the floodwaters that have caused havoc throughout the area.
Despite many rumours and concerns in the public, the plant was operating normally as of press time and employees were confident they would be able to withstand the flood.
"The water treatment plant as it stands right now, is running at normal operations," plant manager Kevin Sutter said Monday. "There is nothing wrong with the treatment plant, there is nothing wrong with the water coming in or leaving the plant.
"Everything is fine now and the only thing that is endangering the plant is the water level itself. The level is still about a metre away from the foundation wall. I do not know what the effects the higher water will have on the plant, we are going to man it around the clock to make sure we keep it up and running and keep potable water coming into the facility."
The challenge facing employees of the plant is actually twofold. Not only do they have to deal with the floodwaters approaching the facility, the swelling Souris waters have also cut off both of the plant's access roads.
That has forced Sutter and his staff to travel to the plant via a boat operated by members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service.
"It's a unique trip because we have to take a boat in and a boat out," said Sutter. "That's what we are coping with now. The water plant was built for a flood situation, so it was built with dikes around it and it was built elevated. But we do have the issue of the water around the plant where we have to get in an out."
Asked what might happen if they need to transport something like chemicals to the plant, Sutter said they will do whatever is needed to keep operating.
"If we have to bring in chemical, we will bring it in by boat. We will ensure that the water is safe to drink as long as (flood) water doesn't inundate the plant. Right now, everything that we have been told, it should not get that high."
Should the plant succumb to the flood, Sutter said their first priority would be to ensure there is water for fire protection."
Number two would be getting a potable water source for everybody in the city. It would be bringing in tanker trucks or we will do something."
