ESTEVAN - Matt Angell is excited to move into the role of the City of Estevan's water and wastewater services manager.
Angell started on June 3, working in tandem with his predecessor Shane Bucsis. When Bucsis officially left the city on July 11 for another job, Angell started working solo on the job.
"I have grown a passion for this industry after the time I spent earning my two-year certification from Saskatchewan Polytechnic for a water and wastewater technician," said Angell. "And after the years of service in the industry, I know this is a field that will forever be changing with new laws and regulations, so changing year to year. I look forward to expanding on our community initiatives, and improving our water and wastewater management."
Angell spent eight years working with the Village of Torquay in their water and sewer division before he joined the city about six years ago. When he started with the city, he was on the water and sewer crew as an operator in the trenches, and then became a wastewater treatment plant operator.
"In 2023, I shifted divisions when the opportunity as a facility manager became available," said Angell.
The time in which Angell and Bucsis' tenures overlapped was very productive, Angell said, and it helped him get up to speed with the ongoing projects and budget items. Since Bucsis left, Angell has enjoyed the work, but he conceded there is a lot to look after and learn.
Among the projects that are ongoing is the wastewater treatment plant pilot project, in which the city is working with Magna Engineering on the plant's effluent, which is currently used as boiler-feed water at the Shand Power Station. But with the uncertain future of Shand, the city has to consider its options.
Angell described the pilot project as an "amazing opportunity", not just for Estevan, but for other communities that are facing issues with wastewater treatment. The challenges that come with the project have been minimal thanks to Magna's efforts and the province is also watching it closely.
"I'm really looking forward to future initiatives within this division and look forward to sharing more information when the time comes," said Angell.
He's also had to handle what has become an annual summer issue with the odor and taste of the city's water supply, thanks to the algae at Rafferty Dam, which became the city's primary water source in 2020.
