City of Cranbrook Wastewater Capacity Improvements
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector
Water
Project value$14,504,000
Project Type
Capital Project
Sub Sector
Wastewater Management and Treatment
Grant amount$306,727
Program type
GMF
Municipality
City of Cranbrook, BC
Loan amount$3,374,000
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
20,499
Project timeline
2009 - 2011
Project number
10345
Description
The City of Cranbrook is a rapidly growing community in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia that has outgrown its sewage effluent disposal facility and is on the verge of outgrowing its treatment facility. To meet the demands of its Operating Permit and the needs of the community, the city will upgrade its wastewater treatment and disposal systems and design and construct a permanent sewage outfall on the Kootenay River. To determine the best approach to meet current requirements and future needs, the project has been carefully evaluated through a Value Planning Study. As a result, the existing lagoon structure, aeration system, transfer pump and pipeline, and storage ponds will be upgraded to meet 10-year flow projections; and a pump station from pond 2 to pond 1 will be installed. A third, larger storage pond will be built near existing irrigation fields, in order to increase the available effluent for reuse and allow the city’s treatment system to accommodate future population growth. Additionally, a new coagulation injection facility will be built, and the existing irrigation pump station building, electrical system and controls will also be upgraded; as will the booster pump station and irrigation pivot control system. Lastly, an emergency outfall to the Kootenay River and a river crossing to serve reuse irrigation needs to ranchers on the other side will also be constructed. This tertiary treatment will reduce the concentrations of total suspended solids to 15 mg/L, oxygen demand to 10mg/L, and residual chlorine to 0.01 mg/L. Other concentrations of pollutants, such as phosphorous and fecal coliform levels, will also be significantly reduced. The planned upgrades will reduce the overall cost of facility operations, including power consumption, by 42 per cent annually. The project will see the reuse of most of the treated effluent for crop irrigation; reducing the demand on well or potable water, and helping to boost the livestock and agriculture industries as they become more economically viable. With the collaboration of local wildlife organizations, effluent will also be used to enhance natural habitat through wetlands discharge. By encouraging research agencies and universities to continue to investigate more efficient ways to use reclaimed water as a resource, Cranbrook hopes to become a centre of excellence in this field.
(Project description from original funding application)
Project results
- 282 tonnes of GHG emissions avoided
- 2305 GJ of energy savings per year
- 70 cubic metres of water saved per year
Environmental outcomes
- Reduced energy use
- Reduced or avoided GHG emissions
- Reduced water consumption
- Improved waste management
- Brownfield restoration
- Use of sustainable practices
- Minimal environmental impact
Social outcomes
- Increased public safety and security
- Increased staff health and safety
- Improved service delivery and/or level or service
- Greater civic pride and ownership
- Increased opportunities for community engagement
- Improved public education or awareness
- Community revitalization
- Development of local programs
Economic outcomes
- Reduced operating costs
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Increased service life
- New or improved revenue streams
- Innovative financing
- Use of feasibility tools
Lessons learned
- Stakeholder and community engagement
- Council support/buy-in
- Communication & coordination
- Data and reporting
- Resources
- External factors
- Technical – Project specific
Applicant
City of Cranbrook, BC