Newfoundland town fined $50K for chlorine leaks into local river
The Newfoundland and Labrador Town of Baie Verte has been ordered to pay a $50,000 fine after pleading guilty to discharges of highly-chlorinated water...
Software helps ensure WWTP compliance while streamlining reporting requirements
By automatically integrating change of regulations in the cloud environment, Sanitation District No. 1 is able to keep on top of changing regulations without involving IT for software updates.
B.C. company’s technology removes PFAS and EDCs from leachate and industrial effluents
New research by the non-profit Environmental Working Group shows PFAS are prevalent in municipal tap water.
Improved plumbing designs could boost testing accuracy for viruses in wastewater
As the world experiences what some see as the “new normal”, GHD is working with Envision to learn from the ongoing pandemic and consider ways that design could help people that may be in similar situations in the future.
Quebec funds electrolysis technology to clean mining wastewater
Quebec is investing $4.5 million in a Sherbrooke-based clean technology company specializing in electrolysis to help create opportunities for mining operations to recycle wastewater.
Funded...
Alberta city launches sewage pilot project for biofuel conversion
The Alberta city of Chestermere has begun a pilot program to convert the sewage of its some 20,000 residents into raw water, fertilizer and...
New studies warn of denim’s lasting impact through wastewater
Two new studies with connections to the University of Toronto have detailed the troublesome environmental footprints that blue jeans — one of the most...
Vancouver, Richmond receive funding for wastewater heat recovery systems
Vancouver’s successful wastewater heat recovery project in False Creek is getting a $14-million boost to add more heat recovery capacity to its system.
The Vancouver...
UCalgary, brewery debut Alberta’s first wastewater-treated beer
Despite testing 80 parameters for its latest limited edition brew, Alberta’s Village Brewery says it still understands the “mental hurdle” involved with trying a...
New WEF report suggests ‘low’ COVID-19 risk for wastewater workers, but calls for further...
A blue-ribbon panel of 16 wastewater sector experts that convened in April has determined in a new report that the occupational risk of COVID-19...
Swift Current rejected under ICIP for WWTP upgrades
The mayor of Swift Current says the Saskatchewan city was left “on the outside looking in” when it realized available infrastructure funds in the...
SUEZ’s ZeeLung selected for world’s largest MABR project in Canada
SUEZ – Water Technologies & Solutions announced on August 17 that the Region of Waterloo has selected SUEZ’s ZeeLung technology to equip what will...
New Brunswick secures wastewater upgrade funding as officials warn of algal bloom
Provincial, federal and municipal officials have announced $32.3 million in funding to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant operated by the Greater Shediac Sewerage Commission...
Alberta gets another funding injection for array of water projects
A series of new projects will be underway in Alberta, ranging from a new carbon dioxide injector pump, to the expansion of wastewater treatment...
Finding the right dosing pump for water and wastewater treatment processes
Both diaphragm or peristaltic chemical metering/dosing pumps are positive displacement pumps, but they work in very different ways. A question often asked is which of these pump types will be the most effective and reliable?
Hydro excavation waste slurries should no longer be a worry
Hydro excavation, also known as daylighting, trenchless digging, and non-destructive digging results in slurry, made up of 60% water and 40% solids. This type of byproduct is difficult and expensive to deal with, especially if the intention is to dump it at a landfill site, due to its solid/liquid state and weight.
Biofilm technology improves wastewater treatment in cold weather lagoons
An MBBR system is versatile and can be used to provide consistent ammonia removal throughout the year, as demonstrated by many pilot studies and full-scale applications.
Calgary wastewater treatment plant can achieve energy-neutral status
To reduce energy use, Associated Engineering reviewed the treatment processes and compared them to less energy-intensive options, with the potential for improved biogas production. For energy recovery, the team conducted an in-depth analysis of cogeneration, the process of converting gas to electricity and heat.
Validating real-time monitoring platform to detect pulp and paper black liquor discharge events
Black liquor spills can subject a system to periods of upset conditions and could potentially push the total BOD loading beyond the plant’s aeration capacity, leading to potential permit violations.
SCADA communications network enables remote operations in Wood Buffalo
The project was developed in three stages. Stage one was to develop a SCADA master plan for the municipality, including developing a network plan for every water and wastewater facility.
Ramara outsources water, wastewater services to OCWA
Ramara Township, just northeast of Barrie, Ontario, has voted in support of outsourcing the community’s water and wastewater services to the Ontario Clean Water...
Hamilton discovers PCBs during WWTP upgrades, biosolids project nears completion
The City of Hamilton has experienced further delays on its massive wastewater treatment plant upgrades after discovering a “significant amount” of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs)...
Capital Regional District wastewater project set to finish construction by summer’s end
After nearly four years of construction, a group of 600 construction workers are busy entering the final stretch of construction for British Columbia’s massive...
Alberta grants $150M for 55 water, wastewater projects in small municipalities
$137 million is allocated for improvements to water supply, treatment facilities, upgrades to wastewater services such as lagoons, berms, sewage treatment.
Study warns of growing wastewater impact on nutrient imbalance in lakes as more facilities...
Study warns surge in wastewater treatment may be harming ecosystem biodiversity by creating an imbalance between phosphorus and nitrogen.
New tech helps manage FOG at collection and food production sites
It has been estimated that grease trap waste and uncollected grease entering sewage treatment plants ranges from 365 kg to 7,700 kg of grease per restaurant, per year. In response, municipalities continue to adopt more stringent regulations, detailing how food preparation and food processing businesses handle and dispose of grease.
Village’s wastewater oxidation ditches still in service after 57 years of operation
As the Village of Montrose in British Columbia prepares to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility, the makers of the still-working, original aeration technology can safely say that their engineering products are built to last.
Unlocking data from water, wastewater and stormwater systems
Using data from hydrological systems, organizations can properly account for and appropriately allocate water resources while minimizing impacts on the environment.
Are reinforced concrete pipe joints infiltration proof?
Observing leaky joints during inspection is not uncommon and, in some cases, is too frequent and very costly to repair. Contractors rely on their experience to manage infiltration risks. Installation quality can only be revealed after the pipeline is backfilled and put into service.
Wastewater district digitizes its system inspection workflow and design
New processes required the ability to tie mobile data collection apps directly to GIS software, while ensuring field data remained tied to the asset throughout the inspection and review life cycle.
Contamination ongoing as wastewater overflows continue in Quebec, researchers say
A new three-year study from Quebec’s Foundation Rivières has found that seven out of 10 municipalities still experience some form of contamination from local...
U.K. water utility unveils ‘Barbarian’ wet wipe fighter, reveals list of flushed oddities
In 2019, Northumbrian Water discovered that 64% of the 15,600 blockages the U.K-based utility cleared were caused by wet wipes. Enter sewer gadget inventor,...
WEF update explores virus detection methods, infectivity through wastewater
As wastewater increasingly becomes part of the mainstream conversation during the COVID-19 pandemic as a tool to measure the spread of the virus, the...
Hamilton report suggests ‘no action’ in wake of CSO creek discharge
Following a provincial order to determine the environmental impact of a four-and-a-half-year long accidental discharge of stormwater runoff and sanitary sewage into Chedoke Creek...
Province steps up funding for Cape Breton’s delayed high-risk wastewater projects
Officials with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) in Nova Scotia say they are relieved that the province has stepped up with new funding...
Removing CECs from cold water post-lagoon wastewater treatment systems
A Canadian-made wastewater treatment innovation could be part of a long-term sustainable solution for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in extreme cold climates.
How to reduce the risk of I/I in new sanitary sewers from the private...
A recent publication, “Manual of Best Practices to Reduce Risk of Inflow and Infiltration in Private Side New Construction of Sanitary Sewers” provides practical, actionable solutions for building officials (and development engineering departments) to immediately implement strategies to reduce inflow and infiltration risk.
How to prevent the many types of heat exchanger fouling
When handling difficult materials, such as sewage sludge or corrosive chemicals, heat exchangers can be particularly susceptible to chemical, biological, sedimentation or corrosion fouling.
Exploring treatment options to remove new contaminants in landfill leachate
The growing need to prevent impacts to groundwater and surface water caused by landfills is driving developments in water treatment that may see application elsewhere. There has been a growing list of products including asbestos and PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyl) that were once heralded as “wonder materials,” that have turned out to have negative impacts on the environment and people.
What treatment professionals need to know about the coronavirus and the water cycle
With the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, utilities are looking for resources to deal with relevant issues related to water and wastewater treatment.
Researchers launch sewage testing program, ship sampling kits to measure COVID-19 spread
With patient testing facing limitations, a team of biologists, epidemiologists, data scientists, urban planners and engineers are soliciting wastewater treatment samples from facilities across...
WEF messaging toolkit offers ‘thank you’ to water workers on frontline
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is looking to highlight the importance of water services during the coronavirus pandemic by releasing a “toolkit” of graphics...
Canadian municipalities urge their residents to think about what they flush
To prevent sewage backups, municipalities and water organizations are telling customers to avoid treating their toilets like trashcans, especially during the COVID-19 situation.
“At a...
Hamilton making headway on massive $340M Woodward WWTP upgrades
As the largest single water investment ever for the City of Hamilton, the $340-million series of multi-stage, multi-year process upgrades for the Woodward Wastewater...
BC region closer to success on second funding attempt for sewage treatment plant upgrades
British Columbia’s approval of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary’s Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) ticks off a key box towards the greenlighting of...
COVID-19 resources for waste and water professionals
Various industry water organizations across North America are creating online resources to keep water and sanitation practitioners and providers armed with relevant knowledge about...
New wastewater spreadsheets added to Canada’s open-data website
Canada’s wastewater data is finally wading further into the realm of transparency thanks to Environment Canada’s latest additions to the federal Open Data website.
The...
Yukon settles Corix lawsuit over troubled wastewater plant
The Yukon government says it will no longer be pursuing its $39.5-million lawsuit filed in 2017 against Corix Water Systems, the company that built...
Bishop Water BioCord Reactors to be distributed in Chile by Novatech
BioCord™ Reactors will now be available in South America as part of a new distribution agreement with Novatech, Bishop Water Technologies announced on February...
Manitoba announces wastewater and flood protection investments
Manitoba will provide more than $61 million to support the upgrade of the City of Portage la Prairie’s Water Pollution Control Facility, Premier Brian...
Yukon’s Dawson City exploring lagoons to replace troubled wastewater plant
Dawson City and the Yukon government are in the early stages of creating a plan to replace its problematic seven-year-old wastewater plant with a...
Water Research Foundation accepting pre-proposals for the Unsolicited Research Program
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) announced it is now accepting pre-proposals for the Unsolicited Research Program. The program funds novel, transformative research and innovation...
‘Do Not Flush’ wipes labelling Bill making headway in California
California legislators have shown early support for a critical environmental Bill to rebrand hygienic wet wipes marked “flushable” with written warnings about potential clogs.
Bill...
New study aims to quantify potential for wastewater nutrient recovery
A new international study aims to provide insights into the global and regional potential of the some 380 billion m3 of wastewater produced annually...
Report looks to create clear standard for reducing excess I/I for new sewers
A recent report compiles methods that can be applied when sewers are first constructed to limit the risk of leakage, highlighting the need for resilient infrastructure in an age of climate change where extreme rainfall has risen sharply.
Cold water nitrification and cyanides removal for mining wastewaters
Laboratory and pilot-plant studies have confirmed that biological nitrification and denitrification could be sustained for mining effluent at very low temperatures (<5 °C)
Demographic reality catching up to WWTPs
Municipalities in Ontario are encountering staff succession challenges. For many, proper procedures may not have been captured in operating manuals and other documentation, resulting in manuals and operating procedures that are not consistent with the current practice which is known to the seasoned operators who are about to retire.
Cloud-based alarm and monitoring systems cut costs, improve productivity
Cloud-based alarms and monitoring systems for water and wastewater treatment infrastructure can span a larger service area at a lower cost compared to traditional landlines.
Analyzing heating requirements for mesophilic and thermophilic biosolids digestion
This article compares the heating requirements of both mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion operating modes.
Right equipment helps WWTPs cope with unknowns of septage receiving
By creating a receiving area for hauler trucks to offload septage waste, it becomes practical to employ forms of pretreatment, monitoring and storage.
New technique could accelerate methane production from FOG and food waste
University of Alberta engineers found that adding conductive materials to fats, oils and grease and waste products could boost methane production by 70%.
All eyes on Nova Scotia’s transition through Northern Pulp paper mill closure
Days before Christmas, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil announced he was keeping his promise to the Pictou Landing First Nation and would not allow...
Alberta village shuts down new wastewater system for winter
Municipal officials of a small Alberta village one hour southwest of Edmonton have decided to shut down and winterize the Summer Village of Ma-Me-O...
Cruise ship scrubber discharges may endanger B.C.’s remaining killer whales
British Columbia cruise ships may be endangering aquatic life by using exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers, to remove sulphur oxides from heavy fuel...
Toronto set to begin $3B bypass tunnel project to keep CSOs out of waterways
A tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Donnie is nearly ready to dig the City of Toronto’s new 10.5-kilometre long Coxwell Bypass Tunnel, in a...
Report looks to create new standard for reducing inflow and infiltration
A new report compiles methods that can be applied when sewers are first constructed to limit the risk of inflow and infiltration, highlighting the...
Region of Peel working to update Water & Wastewater Master Plan
Ontario’s Region of Peel has initiated a study of a new Water and Wastewater Master Plan for its lake-based systems to update its 2013...
Hamilton introduces new bypass notification system and apologizes for ‘sewergate’
Following its public announcement of a major combined sewage discharge, the City of Hamilton, Ontario has introduced a series of new measures, which notably...
Manitoba denies request for North End Treatment Plant compliance extension
Manitoba Conservation and Climate said the province has denied a request by the City of Winnipeg to extend the deadline for an additional two...
Critics warn of ‘incomplete’ focus report on Northern Pulp’s effluent proposal
A number of critics are sounding alarm bells around the Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation’s new focus report around its controversial proposal to pump...
Water worker labour relations take divergent paths in Saskatchewan
As Saskatchewan’s commercial Crown water utility, SaskWater, ratifies a new deal, Saskatoon water workers with CUPE Local 47 have rejected the latest offer from...
Wetland sewage system helps N.L. company with carbon neutral success
A smart thermostat company in St. John’s hangs a picture of a local wastewater treatment facility on its walls as a reminder of how...
Environmental assessment for Duffin Creek Plant outfall project approved
Durham Region and York Region announced that they are proceeding with the proposed treatment enhancements at the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant in...
Using oxygen and ozone to control odour and corrosion caused by hydrogen sulfide
A major contributor to odour and corrosion in industrial systems is hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and its associated compounds. In recent years interest in ozone to treat wastewater has led to new and sustainable technologies for odour and corrosion control in wastewater collection systems.
Parks Canada sites now able to monitor wastewater treatment remotely
SENTRY-BOD systems are now providing Parks Canada operators with the ability to remotely monitor wastewater treatment plant performance in real time at park locations. These plants often see large fluctuations in loading during the year due to seasonal use.
Simulators can help less experienced wastewater treatment plant operators
Simulator technology gives the Regional Municipality of York the ability to test and explore various facility options in a safe, virtual environment, such as responding to a sewer-use by-law violation or a plant upset, taking a treatment cell offline for maintenance, or for plant-specific training.
Retrofitting an existing headworks can solve many WWTP issues
Headworks retrofits are commonly done to improve wastewater treatment plant performance or accomplish a new treatment objective. Headworks changes can be as simple as replacing a worn out screen with a similar system or installing a new finer screen to capture more debris.
Dedicated software helps improve wastewater plant information management and reporting
Learn how a data management solution greatly improved Penticton Wastewater Treatment Plant’s data management practices. Almost overnight, the team noticed an immediate difference not only in functionality, but in the new-found power of the data and reporting tools they had at their fingertips.
Complexity of water, wastewater plants creates opportunity for innovation and cost savings
Municipalities have to continue implementation and operation of needed services, even on reduced budgets. Conventional solutions are often preferred and selected because they are proven and safe, however, they can be more expensive than new, innovative solutions that are proven but less known.
New ‘I Don’t Flush’ campaign launched in Ontario
The Ontario Clean Water Agency and the Clean Water Foundation have teamed up with six Ontario municipalities for a public service announcement (PSA) campaign...
B.C. opens up $150M in second round of water and wastewater grants
A combination of new federal and provincial infrastructure funding is opening up grants totalling $150 million for water and wastewater services in British Columbia.
B.C....
City of Ottawa announces WWTP upgrades as sewage overflow project marks major milestone
Ottawa has now completed all six kilometres of tunneling for its Combined Sewage Storage Tunnel project, which aims to significantly reduce overflows when wastewater...
Vancouver-based study measures extent of aquatic pollution from microfibers in laundry
Laundry machines in Canada and the U.S can release upwards of 878 tonnes of microfibres to the aquatic environment each year following wastewater treatment,...
French firm wins build contract for B.C.’s Annacis Island WWTP expansion
Paris-based VINCI Construction has won a $184-million contract to build new pipelines as part of an expansion for British Columbia’s Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment...
Winnipeg aims for cost-sharing to aid $909M wastewater centre upgrades
Four major capital infrastructure project proposals totalling just shy of $1 billion will come before the City of Winnipeg’s Executive Policy Committee later this...
Unserviced portion of North Okanagan to build $36.9M wastewater system
A wastewater recovery system for British Columbia’s North Okanagan district will soon prevent septic system contaminants from leaching into Swan Lake, now that a...
Continuous insulation resistance testing can prevent wastewater pump motor failure
Wastewater treatment plants rely heavily on motors for critical applications and to maintain service objectives and treatment quality levels. Therefore, it is important to continually monitor and maintain pumps.
Comparing spiral and corrugated tube heat exchangers for wastewater
Spiral heat exchangers are synonymous with wastewater treatment due to high-fouling risks, viscous fluids and fibres or solids content. However, in many situations the performance of corrugated tube heat exchangers are equal to, or better than, spiral designs.
Wastewater reuse can help Canada’s dairy industry
The Canadian dairy industry is a major economic contributor, employing roughly 221,000 people and keeping almost 1 million dairy cows. Rising water and wastewater costs have made in-house water treatment and reuse an economic choice.
Treating variable strength landfill leachate and wastewater
Landfill leachate is characterized by extreme biological oxygen demand and ammonia spikes. Changing temperatures, precipitation and waste collection makes operating landfill leachate wastewater treatment plants challenging.
Continuous inflow and infiltration analysis for sewerage systems
As hundred-, even thousand-year storm events increase in frequency, a holistic understanding of wastewater and stormwater systems and their capacities is needed to proactively protect property and assets.
Managing sewer blockages helps prevent overflows
Sewer blockages are a leading cause of sanitary sewer overflows. Proactive sewer cleaning is a data-driven approach that aims to prevent blockages before they occur in an efficient and effective way.
Biosolids dewatering with geotextiles and polymer
Geotextile dewatering of wastewater sludge and biosolids provides simple, low-energy operation, efficient dewatering, minor operator attention and customizable foot-prints.
Complex upgrades needed within existing wastewater digester facility
The Corbett Creek wastewater treatment plant uses anaerobic digestion to break down biodegradable sludge and remove water. To increase plant capacity, complex upgrades of the digester facility were needed.
Canada funds wastewater upgrades in Yukon, Manitoba and Nova Scotia
Infrastructure Canada announced funding last week for a range of water and wastewater projects in Manitoba, the Yukon and Nova Scotia.
Manitoba
The federal government is...
Water and wastewater infrastructure challenges in a changing climate
The water industry is on the front line of the climate crisis. Water underpins agriculture, industry and sanitation and is essential for our daily survival. This article looks at recent water and wastewater cases that were challenged by a changing climate.
Design and construction of an innovative effluent outfall in the challenging Muskwa River
Designing and constructing a treated wastewater outfall in British Columbia’s Muskwa River poised many challenges to engineers and contractors. This project incorporated innovative design features to overcome construction challenges and create a resilient and adaptable piece of infrastructure.
Quebec facility evaluates anaerobic digester performance sensor
A new sensor system was installed on two anaerobic digesters, processing waste activated sludge, at a testing facility in Quebec. The sensors measure microbial electron transfer, which instantly measures microbial activity, allowing for optimization of digester feeding.
The economics of cleaning and removing grit and screenings from WWTPs
Disposal costs are one of the largest expenses a wastewater treatment plant faces in its operation. Equipment designed to wash and dewatering grit and screenings can cut WWTPs disposal fees and provide a return-on-investment.
Atlantic wastewater and water design to embed climate resilience
Canada's Department of Natural Resources has announced an investment of $318,000 over three years to embed climate change adaptation into design guidelines for municipal...
Latest Articles
Cost to expand Collingwood water treatment plant doubles for second time
Municipal leaders in Collingwood and New Tecumseth said they found it “shocking” that the lowest bid for the expansion of the Raymond A. Barker...
