SW Brooks Sanitary Servicing Study

The City of Brooks will conduct a study of its existing wastewater treatment plant to assess the feasibility of much-needed upgrades to improve the quality of treated effluent and increase treatment capacity. Established in 2010, the city is expanding rapidly due to investment in the oil and gas and agricultural sectors. However, the city and neighbouring communities in the County of Newell are already experiencing capacity issues, forcing them to release the overflow of treated effluent from the sewage lagoons into waterways that are the source of drinking water for the City of Medicine Hat. The city will collaborate with the County of Newell to assess inefficiencies in its existing wastewater systems, identify service options to support a growing population, explore tertiary treatment types, address new federal regulations, examine the potential impact of increased flows, and provide cost estimates for upgrades. Using a triple bottom line approach, the study will compare lagoon systems to mechanical plants with technologies such as in-line disc filtration and UV disinfection, evaluate renewable energy technologies, and determine how to improve existing technologies within the lift stations to reduce energy consumption. The study links to the city’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, which prioritizes green development projects. The city will continue to collaborate with the County of Newell to research and plan future wastewater treatment systems. Sharing project administrative costs and data reports will allow both municipal governments to streamline resources while making prudent decisions for the entire region. Updates to sanitary infrastructure will improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and meet new environmental, health, and safety standards — essential measures to prepare the city for growth expected in the years ahead. (Project description from original funding application)