Medicine Hat – Today, the City of Medicine Hat begins the preliminary testing phase on equipment designed to deliver clean drinking water in public spaces. The pilot project will occur this summer with ten fire hydrant water stations at various locations in Medicine Hat.

Residents will notice the first four water bottle fill stations affixed to fire hydrants this week, though they will not be enabled for public use during the testing phase.

The first stations will appear at:

• Towne Square on the corner of First Street SE and Sixth Avenue SE
• Second Street SE between South Railway Street SE and Sixth Avenue SE
• McCutcheon Trail at McCutcheon Drive NW and Basset Crescent NW
• South Ridge Trail at Stratton Way SE

Testing consists of flushing the system and taking water samples that are sent for microbiological water analysis from the Provincial Lab. Results are expected early next week at which time the units can be placed in operation for public use if the results come back clear.

The City will communicate further information when the water bottle fill stations are officially ready for use.

These first four units will be monitored and evaluated until the end of June before placing the final six units out for the rest of the summer.

“We have to make sure that everything is working as expected and that the public are finding a benefit,” says Pat Bohan, Director of City Assets. “This gives time to evaluate the resources required to check and maintain the units properly, modify our plans if required, and deploy the remaining units safely in July.”

Each water bottle fill station is designed so that the stream of water is protected to only allow freefall into a water bottle, cup or bowl. Patrons will not be able to drink directly from the spout, reducing the risk of contamination.

The water in the fire hydrants is the same treated, potable drinking water distributed to businesses and households, and will undergo rigorous testing to ensure it continues to be safe to drink.

The pilot program will run through the summer of 2022 and will be evaluated on usage (based on meter readings at each site), community feedback, and cost/benefit analysis.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us, but we are learning as we go,” adds Bohan. “Staff innovatively developed this idea over the winter months, completing a prototype and presenting to our Energy and Infrastructure committee. With the green light to construct ten units, we’re excited to move to this first phase of testing and to tell you more about the pilot project as it progresses.”

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