City of Wetaskiwin Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade Project

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector Water
Project value$5,733,000
Project Type Capital Project
Sub Sector Wastewater Management and Treatment
Grant amount$82,727
Program type GMF
Municipality City of Wetaskiwin, AB
Loan amount$827,273
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 12,594
Project timeline 2009 - 2011
Project number 10320

Description

The City of Wetaskiwin will upgrade its wastewater treatment facility to improve the reliability, performance and capacity of the facility and ensure that it meets provincial environmental standards. It will replace the facility’s current coarse bubble aeration equipment with fine bubble aeration technology. This will allow for more effective and efficient treatment of wastewater and reduce energy costs. The upgrades will improve the quality of the wastewater effluent. It is projected that the Total Suspended Solids (TTS) will be less than 25 mg/L, the five day Carbonaceous Oxygen Demand (CBOD5) will be 10 mg/L, and the system will not require the use of Chlorine. The changes will ensure that the facility meets Alberta Environment regulatory requirements.
Improved effluent quality will protect the quality of downstream water, which is the drinking water for various users including the City of Camrose. Excess sludge from the lagoons will be used as a source of nutrients for nearby agricultural land. More efficient blowers and an improved operating system will lower operating costs. The reduced need for desludging the lagoons will lower maintenance costs and the upgraded wastewater treatment facility will reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
(Project description from original funding application)

Project results

  • 2148218 cubic metres of water treated per year

Environmental outcomes

  • Reduced energy use
  • Reduced or avoided GHG emissions
  • Improved groundwater quality
  • Reduced hazardous residuals from water treatment
  • Avoided soil erosion
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem protection

Social outcomes

  • Protection/improvement of public human health
  • Improved service delivery and/or level or service
  • Improved public education or awareness

Economic outcomes

  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • Increased service life
  • Local business development or local economy stimulus
  • Local spending/consumption

Lessons learned

  • Stakeholder and community engagement
  • Communication & coordination
  • Resources
  • External factors

Applicant

City of Wetaskiwin, AB