After many years of service, a faithful member of the City of Estevan's management team is retiring, and they bid farewell to him at the same time as 2017.

Water Treatment Plant Manager Kevin Sutter started with the City 31 years ago. In 1987, he started as a Plant operator. Then, in 1990 he moved to Superintendent before becoming Water and Wastewater Treatment Manager in 1996. Finally, in 2015 his responsibilities grew to encompass the entire water and sewer system snaking throughout the city.

"I think the big construction projects are what will stand out in my mind the most. In 1989, we commissioned the new water treatment plant. In 1996 we commissioned the wastewater treatment plant. Between 2004 and 2005 we brought on a whole bunch of new processes at the water plant," he shared. Some of those included UV disinfection, new chemical feeders and upgrading the control systems, all of which he found challenging and satisfying. However, those may not have been his largest accomplishments, nor the closest to his heart.

"I successfully applied for a $9.4 million one third/one third/one third cost sharing grant governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, as well as the City of Estevan. That's allowed us to do a lot of upgrading to the water plant, and bring in a better water source for the city."

The project had been his baby for years in advance, as he had a strong passion to ensure that the environment was protected.

Stepping down as of December 29th, he is looking forward to the future. Their new hire has been in the role of superintendent for a while and will take over management of the plant, while the other roles are being divided among other City managers. Shane Bucsis was an operator at the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, supplying water to Regina and Moose Jaw, and he has moved down to step into Sutter's legacy.

Sutter expressed that he is leaving the office in good hands. 

"I wouldn't leave unless I thought the City was set up for the future. The Water and Waste water Treatment Plant, and the city as a whole has been kind of under my care for a long time. I'm happy that everything is set up, and I feel good about choosing this time for retirement."

He added that, while he will continue living in Estevan, he may look at keeping occupied with some consulting, or perhaps offering his services and expertise to a smaller community in need of assistance.