City of Weyburn Feasibility Study for Municipal Wastewater Treatment

As part of its pro-active commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, the City of Weyburn will consider wastewater treatment upgrade strategies to improve its lagoon effluent quality to meet more stringent future regulations for nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), ammonia (NH3), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS) and total dissolved solids (TDS). The wastewater treatment upgrade options that will be examined include, but are not limited to, constructed wetlands, effluent irrigation, and wetlands and effluent irrigation in combination. Two potential wastewater disposal end-uses are the irrigation of a neighbouring tree nursery and/or the irrigation of forage crop fields, if not detrimental to soil conditions. The potential use of biomass as fuel source may also be examined. Potential modifications to the existing system such as an increase in retention time in the storage cells during the summer months and the segregating of the primary lagoon into two separate cells are also being considered. The study will also provide an opportunity for public awareness and education with respect to water conservation. Some proposed water conservation strategy initiatives include information brochures and financial incentives for installing low flow toilets and shower heads.