The City of Winnipeg is set to spend one million dollars to prevent zebra mussels from clinging to and clogging the intake to the aqueduct that supplies Winnipeg’s water supply.
Zebra Mussels are an invasive species and have been causing problems in waterways all over North America. The city says that although no zebra mussels have been detected in Shoal Lake yet they are certain it is just a matter of time.
Shoal Lake is situated on the Manitoba/Ontario border and has been the source of Winnipeg’s drinking water since the construction of the aqueduct was completed in 1919.
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Zebra Mussels are already in the Red River and Lake Winnipeg. They cling to metal, wood and concrete have been known to block pipes and attach themselves to the bottom of boats making their migration difficult to control.
The investment will allow for chlorine injections to be introduced to kill the mussels and their larvae.
The Zebra Mussel project should be completed by the end of the year.
-Staff-
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