Niverville lagoon post-construction 2014.

Niverville council members are trying to continue to think outside of the box when it comes to cost-saving measures for cleaning the Niverville lagoon.

At a previous meeting, Councillor Chris Wiebe suggested approaching the University of Manitoba for alternative ideas, such as using water plants to remove phosphorus from the lagoon, rather than their current method.

Mayor Myron Dyck agrees with this way of thinking, especially when it could possibly cut down the very high costs associated with cleaning phosphorus from their lagoon at present. “We're just looking for alternative solutions, opposed to the current method, where you sprinkle alum (aluminium sulfate) into your lagoon which creates sediment build up, and then you have to dredge it, and it's very costly. So that's money you don't have for infrastructure or recreation.”

Dyck adds he or other councillors research topics of interest themselves whenever they can, such as trying to find other alternatives for cleaning phosphorus from the lagoon. “The challenges that municipalities have is that there are limited resources, both from a point of staff and finances, and so there are things that are being asked of the municipalities by the province, which requires the municipalities to find answers. The whole phosphorous question with lagoons is a provincial matter, it's not new to Niverville. This has been a topic of interest to Niverville council and residents for some time. In light of our lagoon remediation situation, we have to thank councils past, as well as the University, Native Plant Solutions, Ducks Unlimited and the Provincial Government for allowing us to try this pilot project of looking for alternative solutions.”

Dyck confirms that council will continue to pursue alternative options, as well as possibly approaching the government for suggestions. “Part of the ask may be, 'where do we go from here?' And then, what lobbying do we use to ask the government 'would you allow us a pilot project?' or 'can we utilize resourcing with your staff?' or whatever. These are just the conversations that we (council) need to have. So these are just points of interest we're exploring right now.”