Weyburn, Sask. implements automated bioaugmentation tech to reduces lagoon sludge
Seeking solutions to effectively remove its wastewater treatment lagoon sludge and reduce the associated costs, the City of Weyburn, Saskatchewan opted to implement a new automated bioaugmentation service.
Ontario launches storm, wastewater consultation with new $25M boost for reporting, infrastructure
Ontario is investing $15 million to help 18 municipalities optimize stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, plus another $10 million to upgrade sewage monitoring and public...
UWaterloo study says wetlands provide water filtration services worth billions
A new study from the University of Waterloo uses economic valuation to illustrate the importance of water filtration in Southern Ontario’s wetlands, estimating that...
Inventory of treatment options will help remote and Indigenous communities improve effluent quality
Many small, remote and Indigenous communities face challenges to meet established treated wastewater effluent quality standards.
Wastewater data filling void as Canada’s PCR tests decline for COVID-19
While many Canadians continue to check daily case counts for COVID-19, some experts suggest that keeping tighter tabs on wastewater surveillance trends could paint...
Saint John Water operations manager named Silent Hero by ACWWA
The Atlantic Canada Water Works Association (ACWWA) has given its 2021 Silent Hero Award to an operations manager with Saint John Water for his...
Brantford WWTP earns perfect score in Grand River program
The Ontario City of Brantford earned a perfect score at a recent workshop because the effluent from its wastewater treatment system was consistently meeting...
Canada invests in PEI wastewater tech for microbial health
A Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) investment of $1.9 million in Charlottetown-based SENTRY Water Monitoring will help the company enhance its bioelectrode sensors that...
Washing machine filters proving effective in reducing microfibre pollution, study shows
Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to catch and dispose of microfibre pollution, but a new collaboration is exploring the use of washing machine...
Kelowna water workers help bring wastewater system online in flood-ravaged Merritt
As the City of Merritt remains under yet another flood watch, emergency repairs to the flooded wastewater treatment plant have allowed some evacuated residents...
Regina’s polluted Wascana Creek showing signs of recovery after WWTP upgrades
After Regina’s Wascana Creek was found to be one of the most polluted streams in Canada, the city spent $175 million on wastewater treatment...
The passion to save our water ecosystems can positively impact those around us
An Ontario student shares her story on becoming environmentally aware and learning to appreciate our water ecosystems and wastewater infrastructure.
Using a camera nozzle and chain cutter to efficiently handle blocked sewers
The skillful use of high-powered nozzles with forward penetrating jets can sometimes dislodge partial obstructions in smaller sewer pipes.
Dauphin meets its cold weather ammonia level requirements using a new technology
During the winter months, the City of Dauphin, Manitoba's wastewater treatment lagoon is typically covered in a thick layer of ice. That posed a problem, as extremely low lagoon temperatures affect ammonia levels, which are regulated, when effluent is released into the Vermillion River
Using air-operated double-diaphragm pumps to optimize filter press operation
For those looking to optimize their filter-press operations, no matter the industry or product, air-operated double-diaphragm pumps offer a number of operational advantages.
Using augmented reality tools to inspect wastewater plants
Due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, Veolia North America was not able to provide on-site support for a wastewater plant condition assessment project. The evaluation required the use of specialized tools and on-site staff were not familiar with the operation of these tools. The team ultimately decided to use an augmented reality tool to remotely conduct the evaluation of the condition of the equipment at the plant.
Small town chooses prefabricated wastewater lift stations
The town of Herbert hired Stantec Consulting to identify the best replacement solution for its two aging wastewater lift stations. However, the town no longer had the design parameters for the existing stations, which originally went online sometime in the late 20th century.
Tragic week of flooding causes havoc in BC, Merritt WWTP fails
Over the course of just more than a week, several British Columbia communities have been ravaged by more than a month’s worth of rainfall,...
SAIT unveils $1M water, wastewater learning lab in Alberta
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has unveiled a new $1-million water and wastewater treatment lab with state-of-the-art equipment scaled down for student...
World’s largest wastewater energy transfer project underway for Toronto hospital
With a major investment now secured through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, approximately 90% of heating and cooling requirements for the Toronto Western Hospital will...
Canadian researchers enhancing wetland microbes to clean oilsands wastewater
A Canada-wide team of researchers is looking to harness the power of ecosystem services in the natural environment to clean up process-affected water from...
Dalhousie wastewater testing device gains international interest for low cost
Researchers at Halifax’s Dalhousie University have developed a remarkably inexpensive 3D-printed device for wastewater analysis that is gaining traction as a way to mainstream...
North Shore WWTP builder silent on news of layoffs around delayed build in Metro...
Metro Vancouver officials say the construction company building the new North Shore WWTP has laid off a significant amount of staff and halted the project.
Saskatoon wastewater surveillance measures drugs, chemicals, dyes in WWTP and river
A research partnership between the University of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon has identified recreational drugs and industrial chemicals in both Saskatoon’s Wastewater...
UWaterloo researchers map worldwide mining disasters as a new tool
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have used historical satellite imagery to map a database showing 63 tailings flow incidents that have occurred worldwide...
Improving ammonia removal at a petrochemical plant’s lagoon
A petrochemical manufacturing plant in Western Canada was experiencing difficulty in meeting the required ammonia discharge limit from its on-site wastewater lagoon system during cold-weather conditions.
The detrimental effects of combined sewer overflows and COVID-19
Researchers have found that even low levels of RNA from COVID-19, and other coronaviruses, can be detected in raw sewage before full-fledged outbreaks occur, thus allowing governments and health authorities more time to respond to protect public health and safety.
Wastewater treatment plant modernized to prepare for growing population
Midland, Ont. partnered with Schneider Electric to implement its EcoStruxure solution within its existing infrastructure. Equipping staff with easy access to data and information supports smarter energy management and enables decision-making grounded in real-time insights.
Two Alberta towns unveil WWTP upgrades totalling $35M
Albertans in the towns of St. Paul and Vermilion last week celebrated the opening of a new wastewater treatment plant and the completion of...
B.C. water infrastructure set for $110M in upgrades
British Columbia and the federal government are investing $110 million in a series of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater upgrades that range from filtration...
Ontario infrastructure has $52B repair backlog, FAO report finds
Forty-five percent of Ontario’s municipal infrastructure is not in a state of good repair, suggests a new report from the Financial Accountability Office of...
Four water treatment plant upgrades funded across Canada
Water treatment plant upgrades have received funding for projects in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories.
The biggest ticket item among them includes $5.9...
Regulator disciplines engineers for Mount Polley Mine tailings pond disaster
A disciplinary hearing panel led by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC) has issued unprofessional conduct notices against two engineers for their role in...
Winnipeg secures funding for first phase of North End sewage treatment plant overhaul
The North End Sewage Treatment Plant — the City of Winnipeg's oldest and largest — has secured some $213 million for the first of...
New wastewater data reveals surge in drug use as pandemic led to lockdowns
New municipal wastewater analysis released by Statistics Canada shows that the recreational use of cannabis, fentanyl and methamphetamine increased significantly in five major Canadian...
The unexplored toxic effects of COVID-19 disinfectants on water and wastewater
The increased use of disinfectants, including chlorine-based disinfectants, during the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning for several reasons.
The consequences of incorrectly operating wastewater evaporation ponds
The consequences of incorrectly applying the operation and methodology of evaporation to wastewater can be very real and very expensive.
Different ways to transfer essential data to water and wastewater treatment facilities
Transferring data in the water and wastewater industry is essential and vital to facility operation, with critical decisions made based on simple data.
Niagara Region works to control unnecessary inflow and infiltration
Inflow and infiltration (I/I) enters wastewater systems through cracked and broken sewer pipes and improperly connected roof and foundation drains.
WWTP begins testing rare earth coagulant to cope with rising phosphorus loading
To address increasing phosphorus loadings to its wastewater plant, Kingsville, Ontario, began working with the Ontario Clean Water Agency and Bishop Water to evaluate...
Pipe restraint resilience plays an essential role in safe water system operations
It is worth examining what criteria should be followed for restraining pipe connections and which techniques to use within particular water systems.
WEF see positivity in wipes settlement, issues guidance to class members
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has released a new guidance document to assist water utilities in knowing their rights and understanding how they are...
Downtown Halifax redevelopment to boast eastern Canada’s first WWTP energy system
The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) of Cogswell will host the first district energy system in eastern Canada to supply renewable energy generated by a...
Alberta wastewater innovation and energy use projects highlighted through new pilot funding
Seven Alberta communities will soon be receiving money through the Green Municipal Fund to improve water and wastewater services that range from new lagoon...
Hamilton considers new report of cleanup options for Chedoke Creek
Implementing dozens of recommendations to clean up sewage contamination of Hamilton’s Chedoke Creek could cost the Ontario city more than $150 million over 14...
Montreal researchers using willow tree chemistry to treat wastewater
Researchers at the Université de Montréal are experimenting with using the roots of willow trees in plantations to filter untreated wastewater.
Results of the project...
Ontario advances COVID variant testing with wastewater investment
New funding is helping researchers across Canada use wastewater surveillance to learn more about how the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is changing over...
Saskatoon wastewater surveillance partnership earns spot on Smart 50 list
Saskatoon’s wastewater surveillance practices for COVID-19 and marine pollution have placed it on a list of 50 international projects named to the 2021 Smart...
Communities in central N.L. funded for major water, wastewater projects
A series of critical water infrastructure upgrades have been announced for central Newfoundland, including a new ultraviolet disinfection building for Grand-Falls Windsor.
In all, 12...
Repairing and protecting a 1950s era wastewater digester tank
Wastewater treatment plant maintenance and upgrading programs can sometimes unearth issues that may not be apparent during regular operation. Such an occurrence happened at a WWTP consisting of eight digesters constructed at various times between 1955 and 2010.
Bridge prevention is key to successful sewage sludge handling applications
Solids content of sludge cake in sewage sludge handling operations is a persistent problem. Traditional bridge-breaking technology fails to adequately address bridging in the resulting difficult-to-convey sludge applications. More recently, improved technology, such as NETZSCH Pumps & Systems’ aBP-Module®, has proven to be highly effective in ensuring bridge prevention.
Water, wastewater tech can improve supply, reduce energy use, increase sustainability
Heat recovery enables a resource that would otherwise go to waste to be used for purposes such as pre-heating items, including process water, feedstock, digesters or evaporators to improve energy efficiency. Heat exchangers are a good way to recapture heat from thermal processes, as a well-designed system can recover and reuse 40% of the heat produced by a wastewater anaerobic digestion plant.
Feds introduce new ammonia discharge regulation for metal and diamond mines
To limit the risks of the negative effects of mines on fish and fish habitat, the latest criteria under Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations impose a limit on ammonia release for end-of-pipe discharges.
Hamilton’s ‘Sewergate’ shows there will be future wastewater spills
Hamilton is home to one of the oldest and most complex level IV sewage collection systems anywhere and is situated in the centre of a highly eco-sensitive area. It could be the model of how a highly industrialized city handles their sewage, but environmental horror stories just keep occurring in the area year after year, decade after decade.
Kelowna deploys high-tech sewer monitoring system
All of Kelowna, B.C.’s wastewater operations need to be managed as efficiently as possible with relatively limited staff resources. At the same time, operations need to accommodate a rapidly growing population and address new challenges, such as monitoring.
Novel aeration system can improve the performance of wastewater treatment lagoons
The system uses novel aeration technology with a high-efficiency wastewater effluent pump and air aspirator-mixer to lower lagoon installation and operating costs.
Dealing with the challenges of cleaning municipal sewer and stormwater lines
Operators cleaning municipal sewer and stormwater lines face a host of challenges. These include having to clean kilometres of line in the most efficient...
A simple approach to improve the quality of rice paddy processing wastewater
Wastewater coming from rice mill operations contains high concentrations of organic and inorganic substances, causing significant pollution.
New bill aims to revert law and charge communities for raw sewage dumps
Critics of a new Private Member’s Bill say that its attempt to revert the law to its previous status and once again criminalize the...
Northern Pulp pulls environmental assessment as it promises new ‘modernized’ plan for effluent
Northern Pulp Nova Scotia says it is withdrawing its application for an environmental assessment review and will soon reveal a new design for an...
New funding means sewer upgrades planned for southeast Labrador
A series of wastewater upgrades continue in southeast Labrador, where the federal government has recently allocated more than $1.5 million for modern water infrastructure.
In...
Landmark settlement may lead to better flushability, labelling for wipes
Wipes manufacturer Kimberly-Clark Corp. has settled a lawsuit with Charleston, South Carolina’s public works commissioners, vowing to improve the “flushability” of its Cottonelle Flushable...
Ontario shipping company fined by U.S. over wastewater discharge
An Ontario-based shipping company in St. Catharines — one of the largest dry and liquid bulk carriers operating on the Great Lakes — has...
WWTP biosolids upgrade tops list of major infrastructure funding for Saskatoon
Residents of Saskatoon will soon benefit from $102 million in joint funding for 11 green infrastructure projects, including upgrades to drinking water and wastewater...
RCCAO says Ontario needs dedicated water infrastructure fund
Ontario needs a new dedicated fund to help municipalities “fix their leaky pipes and crumbling sewers”, states a call to action from the Residential...
Saskatchewan First Nation fined for wastewater discharge into lake
The Black Lake Denesuline First Nation of Saskatchewan faces a $10,000 fine after federal officials discovered some 86,000 litres of wastewater had been released...
WEF tasked to lead U.S. network for COVID wastewater monitoring
As the U.S. looks to create its first government-led wastewater surveillance program, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) has been tasked with training a nationwide...
Automated wastewater treatment systems help with compliance and reduce costs
An automated wastewater treatment system can eliminate the need to monitor equipment in person while complying with mandated requirements. Such auto-mated systems separate suspended sol-ids, emulsified oil and heavy metals, and encapsulate the contaminants, producing an easily dewaterable sludge in minutes.
Cambridge’s Hespeler WWTP adopts membrane aerated biofilm reactor technology
While the first phase of improvements was underway at Cambridge’s Hespeler WWTP, a study was done to evaluate the merits of installing membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) technology for secondary treatment.
Testing an oxygenation system at a sewage lift station for odour control
At a lift station in Alberta, the ability of oxygenation technology was tested for wastewater odour control at the forcemain discharge and to determine the capacity required to provide effective control of corrosion and odour.
Florida on high alert as wastewater reservoir near collapse
Parts of Florida remain in a state of emergency after a portion of a wastewater reservoir’s containment wall shifted laterally, risking a large-scale structural...
Nearly $90M in funding could jumpstart water work for 37 Ontario First Nations
Canada is investing $69.5 million for clean drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements in 37 First Nation communities across Ontario.
The new funding will...
Metro Vancouver unveils first of several new renewable natural gas facilities
A new facility designed to recover more energy from liquid wastewater treatment is now being showcased in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.
The $11.2-million facility —...
Saskatchewan city links recent sewer clogs to flushed masks
As water workers discover more blockages in sewer lines, the Saskatchewan City of Prince Albert has issued an advisory to its 36,000 residents to...
Saint John upgrades combined sewer system that has elements from 1872
Upgrades worth $38.7 million will soon be in the works for part of the combined sewer system in uptown Saint John, where the New...
Metro Vancouver launches interactive web tool for COVID-19 wastewater tracking
Metro Vancouver residents can now just click on a specific wastewater treatment plant over five regions to see a snapshot of the COVID-19 virus...
Selkirk’s new WWTP equipped to serve double current population
The two-year construction of a new $39.5-million wastewater treatment plant will be completed for the Manitoba City of Selkirk this summer, offering the capacity...
Lagoons turn to green space as wastewater plan advances in P.E.I. town
After several years in planning, and nearly $11 million in project funding, wastewater is finally flowing from the Prince Edward Island Town of Stratford...
Hamilton officials say approvals will make creek cleanup timeline challenging
City of Hamilton officials say it could take nearly a year beyond Ontario’s fall deadline before it’s able to complete the dredging of a...
Vernon forced to discharge wastewater to lake as irrigation use derailed
Starting this month, the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre (VWRC) will be forced to discharge reclaimed water through a deep outfall to British Columbia’s Okanagan...
Ottawa researchers finalize wastewater test for UK COVID variant
A new wastewater test developed by Ottawa researchers is able to detect B.1.1.7, the most prominent of three new COVID-19 variants.
The Children's Hospital of...
COVID variants detected in Wastewater prior to lab sequencing
In the new study, researchers sequence RNA extracted from wastewater samples, but there may be many different strains present because there are many individuals contributing to the sample. This makes it challenging to distinguish the SARS-CoV-2 genetic signal from the billions of bacteria and viruses people excrete every day.
Innovative filter greatly reduces discharge of microplastics in wastewater effluent
The filter is based on a revolutionary fluid mechanics general concept. The basic idea is to combine an optimized fluid mechanics design with the cross-flow filtration process engineering approach.
How three municipalities are changing the game with level measurement technology
As radar technology has become more prolific, it has also become more affordable and cost-effective for wastewater treatment plants of any size. Operators need reliable measurements to keep pumps running smoothly, maintain inventory of important chemicals and additives, and measure how much water is moving through their facility.
Study identifies wastewater management strategy for western Saskatchewan
The design and construction of a wastewater management system includes two new sewage pumping stations; 32 kilometres of 100 mm, 200 mm and 250 mm high-density polyethylene wastewater forcemains; two new truck dump stations; a new booster station; and a new aerated lagoon to treat wastewater from the region.
Stripping ammonia from landfill leachate to produce hydrogen makes economic sense
Is it possible to turn landfill leachate from being a liability into an asset? Many minds have been exercised with this challenge but so far no one has broken through. Leachate remains a potentially troublesome problem with no clear route to becoming an asset.
Wastewater treatment plant installs prefabricated modular insulated floating tank cover system
As a result of increased demands on the 430 m³/day facility in St. Jacobs, Ont., upgrades were necessary for it to run as efficiently as possible with minimal downtime. It took only three days to install the panels of the prefabricated modular insulated floating cover system, while the plant was kept in operation
Can recycling technologies resolve the industrial water supply crisis?
By using some of the latest cleantech solutions, industrial wastewater can be recycled, so a variety of manufacturing plants, mining companies, and oil and gas producers no longer have to withdraw millions of litres of freshwater daily.
Five things to know about wastewater lagoon upgrades
There are many options for wastewater lagoon technologies that can likely achieve upgrade objectives. However, there are also several important aspects to consider to ensure that the system aligns well with the current operational process, at a price the community can afford.
Colorado professor wins water award for UV research legacy
The National Water Research Institute (NWRI) has awarded its annual Clarke Prize for Excellence in Water Research to University of Colorado Boulder Civil Engineering...
Thames Water UK launches massive hiring drive, triples apprenticeships
Britain’s largest water and wastewater utility said it hopes to hire 1,000 new workers this year, Thames Water UK announced late last month.
The water...
Quebec researchers degrading microplastics with anodic oxidation
A new case study from Quebec’s Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) has shown some success in degrading microplastic particles through electrolytic oxidation...
PEI potato plant fined for wastewater overflow
Owners of a Prince Edward Island potato-washing facility are facing a $1,000 fine after a wastewater discharge spanning some 500 metres overflowed from one...
Citizen science may educate public on pharmaceutical water pollution, report suggests
A new report examining pharmaceuticals found in the Great Lakes considers how citizen science initiatives could be developed to educate as well as fill...
Ottawa researchers say wastewater testing for COVID variant coming soon
As Canada’s capital attempts to control surging new cases from reaching “grey” level status, a collaboration between the CHEO Research Institute and University of...
U.S. water sector highlights critical role as vaccine rollout planning begins
Calling the water sector a “lifeline sector” that “underpins all aspects of society,” officials with the U.S.-based Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) say they...
Investigation begins into U.K. wastewater plant blast that killed four
Officials at U.K.-based Wessex Water have vowed to figure out why four men died earlier this month in a large explosion at its wastewater...
Water infrastructure upgrades slated for Quebec, Ontario communities
Significant water infrastructure projects in Quebec and Ontario received funding the week of December 7 from the federal government as investments in the protection...
International body updates flushability test for ‘flushable’ wipes
The International Water Service Flushability Group (IWSFG) has revised its Consumer Flushability Guidelines to further define key aspects about what makes a product suitable...
Evaluating the business case for using wastewater digestate
Digestate has multiple benefits when used as soil additive or biofertilizer despite it being often only used as livestock bedding or biomass fuel.
Latest Articles
OCWA expands management of water, wastewater in Renfrew
The Ontario Town of Renfrew, near Ottawa, has signed a new 10-year contract with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to expand the services...
