How do aggregate operations affect groundwater levels and wetlands?
Dewatering creates an excess amount of groundwater at the surface, which requires management either through surface flow and infiltration, or recirculation and pumping back as groundwater.
Groundwater storage and recovery becoming increasingly important
A recent study conducted by Canadian researchers has raised the issue of groundwater over-pumping and scarcity and confirmed groundwater's finite limit.
Tracking aluminum coagulants in drinking water treatment
Researchers have developed a new method to quickly and accurately measure the concentration of aluminum used in drinking water treatment.
Comparing Doppler and transit time ultrasonic flow meters
Ultrasonic flow meters are a non-contact means of measuring flow velocity. Understanding how they operate allows users to select the appropriate flow meter.
New acoustic leak detection technique developed by Concordia researchers
Concordia University researchers have developed a technique to locate underground leaks with 99.5% accuracy.
Case study: Benefits of an automated watermain flushing program
The City of Brockville and the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley have benefitted from the introduction of automated flushing equipment and an established watermain flushing program.
‘Big pipe’ infrastructure solutions may no longer be affordable for smaller towns and cities
Approximately 75% of a municipality’s capital asset inventory is water, wastewater and roads. Yet small and medium municipalities face increasing pressures.
Water treatment plant saves over $6 million in solids dewatering costs
A simple, effective dewatering solution will enable Perth, Ontario, to begin treating particle-laden process water from the coagulation tanks at its water treatment plant.
Swim pools and hot tubs contain potentially harmful compounds
With summer just around the corner, plenty of people will be jumping into their backyard pool or visiting the local community centre for a...
Pilot project improves Sunnyside NL’s drinking water quality
By Colin Guthrie
With a landmass comprised largely of resistant bedrock that has been overrun by glaciers, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has numerous...
How to effectively control zebra mussels
Various design techniques have been employed to control infestations of zebra mussels. This article examines both tradition and non-traditional methods.
Public-private partnerships help fund municipal infrastructure projects
The water and infrastructure deficit is estimated to be in excess of $85 billion. Public-Private Partnerships are a useful municipal procurement model.
What does the Federal Budget mean for water and wastewater?
The 2016 Federal Budget includes $5 billion for water, wastewater and green infrastructure. Water and First Nations groups applauded this announcement.
Using zeta potential to determine coagulant and polymer dosage
Setting zeta potential targets is proposed as an effective strategy for guiding coagulant and filter polymer dosing.
B.C. outlines plan to address water quality in North Okanagan aquifer
The British Columbia government said it will take a series of immediate steps toward ensuring safe drinking water for approximately 200 residents near Spallumcheen...
Evaluating advancements in motor control centres
Motor control centres are used to control the starting and stopping of different process equipment such as pumps, blowers and ventilation fans.
Canada and US announce 40% phosphorus reduction target for Lake Erie
Canada and the U.S. have adopted targets to reduce phosphorus entering affected areas of Lake Erie by 40% to improve water quality and protect public health.
Remote community uses package water treatment plant
Building a water treatment plant for the remote community of Kugaaruk, Nunavut comes with a unique set of challenges including cold, logistics and supplies.
Improving oil sands production efficiency with modular evaporators
Evaporator availability is critical in steam assisted gravity drainage operation for oil sands production.
Improving high rate clarification systems in water treatment
High rate clarification systems provide a number of production and performance benefits, such as a much smaller footprint than conventional clarifiers.
How building information modelling can help your next project
Building information modelling is often overlooked for water and wastewater treatment applications. However, the benefits are numerous.
Water and wastewater treatment challenges in Canada’s North
There are many unique challenges that both operators and scientists involved in water and wastewater treatment face in Canada’s North.
Using carbon dioxide for enhanced coagulation
Carbon dioxide may be used for downward pH adjustment in enhanced coagulation for water treatment. It is less corrosive and hazardous than other acids.
Crisis in Flint sparks fury over toxic drinking water
The water emergency in Flint has started a firestorm over the danger posed by lead in drinking water, and the failure of officials to protect public health.
Water treatment plant opens its doors
James Smith Cree Nation welcomed about 50 people for an open house at their integrated biological reverse osmosis membrane water treatment plant.
Polymer coatings can significantly improve water pump efficiency
Fluid handling equipment may suffer from multiple problems, including physical and mechanical damage, as well as general or localized erosion and corrosion. These problems...
Automatic water main flushing reduces costs and improves water quality
Most water distribution systems have areas where there are pipelines that may not have sufficient demands to keep the detention time short enough to...
How Yellow Quill First Nation ended a nine year boil water advisory
In total, Yellow Quill’s boil water advisory lasted nine years. After a 22-month pilot project, a biological water treatment process lifted the advisory.
Evaluating the First Nations water management strategy
The federal government’s response to water issues on First Nation reserves has primarily been through the seven step First Nations Water Management Strategy.
Protecting against lead pipe health risks
With so many lead pipe health risks, it is shocking the number of homes that still have them. In Toronto, there are an estimated 35,000 lead service pipes.
City of Port Moody flushes its way to better water quality
Flushing is an industry standard procedure that removes stagnant water and sediment to ensure water quality. It also ensures chlorine residual levels are maintained.
What Canada can learn from California’s drought and groundwater laws
The California drought experience offers critical insights into drought planning and water management that are relevant to communities across Canada.
Robot swans bring new advanced technology to water testing
Singapore researchers are testing robotic swans that could provide essential, highly advanced water testing in reservoirs around the country and the world.
Developed by scientists...
Inside the new Echologics Innovation Site
More than 600 m of plastic and metallic water mains, allows real-world conditions that can affect leak detection and pipeline assessment, to be replicated.
Travel Notes: Water and drought in the Golden State
Facing increasingly strict state and federal water quality and wastewater discharge regulations and deteriorating groundwater supplies, the new plant will treat approximately 30 MGD of water piped from the Sacramento River
New vacuum priming systems cut energy and water use
Vacuum priming systems are necessary, as water impeller pumps, while great for moving high volumes of water, are unable to pump or move air.
Chlorine gas is an old public health ally
There is considerable debate regarding the safety of chlorine gas. As a result, many operations feel pressure to change to alternative forms of disinfection.
Testing for genotoxicity in alternative drinking water sources
An increasing need to recycle water has changed the nature of the source water that enters treatment facilities. It has forced us to reassess how we ascertain cleanliness in these supplies.
Improving community life in Central America
Water well projects typically take a week, but when crews encounter rough conditions like those found in Central America, progress slows.
Improving water quality in rural Mount Pleasant
High iron and manganese levels can result in sediment deposits in reservoirs and watermains, as well as water quality complaints from customers
Preventing contamination in water storage tanks
Despite efforts to protect public water supplies through testing, treatment and regulation, contamination in water storage tanks still occasionally occurs.
Water career trends and growth very promising
Careers in water quality are not just in high demand, they are also undergoing rapid changes.
What low flow purge groundwater sampling means for water quality data
Low flow groundwater sampling was developed to enhance the accuracy of pollutant assessment in groundwater and ensure a representative sample is collected.
Important considerations for choosing an electromagnetic flow meter
The ideal starting point for choosing a flow meter is not with a manufacturer’s specifications, but with the details of your unique application. Electromagnetic...
Automatic self cleaning filters help keep cooling towers clean and efficient
Only mechanical filtration can remove the tons of suspended solids that cooling towers grab from the atmosphere each year.
Designing large reverse osmosis systems
Reverse osmosis systems are reliable and user friendly. Optimal performance can be achieved by considering the feed water source and user environment.
Mobile water treatment pilot plant helps determine best process
Determining and validating the best water treatment technologies to meet the unique needs of small, rural and First Nations communities has gone mobile.
Canadian water security threatened by trade agreements
Despite an abundance of water, Canada's water security may be threatened by obligations in the country's trade agreements.
Working and managing data in the cloud: The way ahead for water and wastewater...
Smart data management can improve overall water and wastewater quality, by ensuring data is as timely and accurate as possible.
Canadian women increasingly help lead the water treatment industry
Three Canadian women won awards at the 2014 American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference & Exposition.
The importance of continued participation in associations and events
Traditionally, most water and wastewater associations have been blessed with an abundance of volunteers. Cheerfully, they helped select seminar and conference locations, develop technical...
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Endress+Hauser transitions to new Customer Experience Centre in Burlington, ON
Endress+Hauser announces that staff have moved into its Customer Experience Centre, the company’s new $28-million platform in Canada for showcasing its “best-in-class” instrumentation technology.
The...
