Chandos delivered the Kehewin Water Treatment Plant, improving access to reliable, clean water through new intake systems and treatment infrastructure. The project supported the Kehewin Cree Nation, which had experienced one of the longest boil water advisories in the country.
The scope included a new raw water intake, construction of a treatment plant, and decommissioning of the existing facility. Through a social procurement approach, the project also created opportunities to provide long-term value and support to the community.
The team installed two new raw water intakes in Kehewin Lake. Each intake consisted of an approximately 180 m horizontal directional drill (HDD) shot through hard clay shale, with a 30 m elevation difference between entry and exit points.
Environmental regulations required in-lake work to be completed in late summer and early fall, rather than typical winter conditions. This created challenges, including increased risk of frac-outs, continuous environmental monitoring, and strict site protocols. The 200 m long, 400 mm HDPE casings were floated onto the lake, anchored, controlled by boats, and partially submerged before being pulled through the drilled alignment.
An innovative risk mitigation strategy used a helicopter to place 1,500 lb concrete anchor blocks in the lake, which were secured to the intake screens. This approach reduced schedule pressure and overall project costs, helping the team meet critical in-lake activity deadlines.
A collaborative construction approach supported the successful completion of the drilling program and advanced the project toward providing a reliable water supply for the Kehewin Cree Nation.
The project also focused on knowledge transfer, with training provided to local operators to support long-term operation and maintenance of the treatment facility.
