City council is being asked to authorize the commencement of a design to increase water treatment at the Selkirk pumphouse.

The design work is required for what is estimated to be a $39-million project to expand the city’s capacity to provide water treatment.

The design work is estimated at $2 million, which has already been included in the city budget.

Council is scheduled to vote on the request for authorization to begin the procurement at its meeting next Tuesday evening to commence the design work.

Mike Firlotte, the city’s manager of waste and water, explained to council at its meeting why the project is required.

It would allow the city to provide drinking water from both ground water wells from the Selkirk aquifer in Schwatka Lake, and from Schwatka Lake itself, he said.

Firlotte explained that over the last few years, the city has detected changes in the quality of the ground water beneath Schwatka Lake.

That suggests it’s being influenced by another source of ground water, likely from the Yukon River.

If such a change has occurred, regulations dictate additional treatment processes as well as disinfection are required, he said.

The revised upgrades will also provide water supply redundancy, which the city currently does not have, Firlotte said.

Completion of the project will provide the ability to withdraw water from both the Selkirk Aquifer and Schwatka Lake to ensure the city has a robust supply of drinking water, he said.

Firlotte said the risk of not proceeding with the project could adversely impact the ability of the city to provide safe and quality drinking water.