Winnipeg’s water and waste department is asking for early access to $500,000 from its 2018 budget, which would allow riverbank work to prevent possible leaks or failures at an aqueduct.

A report headed to the Sept. 11 meeting of council’s water and waste committee notes the Branch 1 Aqueduct, located under the riverbank of the Seine River, supplies about 40% of Winnipeggers’ daily treated water.

“Undesirable movement has been detected on the east side of the riverbank, which could compromise the integrity of the Branch 1 Aqueduct,” the report notes.

“Failure to award the contract (in the fourth quarter of 2017) will delay the project by a full year and result in increased risk to the Branch 1 Aqueduct,” the report later adds.

Without action, the report warns riverbank movement could result in a major leak, which in turn could “initiate a massive failure of the riverbank and limit the ability to distribute water to the residents of Winnipeg.”

But Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital), chair of the committee, said the request is simply meant to ensure construction can take place in January or February, when river levels are lowest and water freezes, not because the city is nearing a crisis situation.

“It’s certainly not a crisis. We’ve been talking about doing the work since 2012. We’re now at a point where they feel it should be done,” Mayes said.

The report notes $2.4 million of funds for the aqueduct were already approved in the 2016 and 2017 budgets.

The plan would require full council approval.

jpursaga@postmedia.com

Twitter: @pursagawpgsun