WCW24

Registration Required - Cost: $375 + GST
Speakers

• Adam Byard, Jacobs
• Ramesh Mani, Jacobs
• Joel Batters, Lone Drone Solutions
• Chris Macey, AECOM
• William Jappy, Pure Technologies, Xylem
  

This workshop will provide valuable insights on inspection and condition assessment for municipal pipelines for a proactive asset management approach. Aging pipeline infrastructure continues to be a challenge for municipalities. A proactive approach reduces lifecycle costs and mitigates risks.
Attendees will learn how to collect the correct data to make smart decisions using best practices. They will hear about the latest in technological advances, including how artificial intelligence is being leveraged for both gravity and pipeline condition assessment and asset management.
Who should Attend: Pipeline asset owners and managers, and anyone interested in working on pipeline inspection or condition assessment (consultants, vendors, contractors, etc).

Coagulation chemistry is a complex process impacted by several variables and is regarded as “the single most important factor affecting treatment plant performance” (AWWA M37). Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that has the potential to ‘learn' complex chemical processes. The City of Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant has used machine learning modelling of the coagulation process as an operational support tool since February 2023. The tool provides recommendations to operators in real time based on raw water characteristics and treatment system conditions to achieve multiparameter optimization. In the first year of implementation this tool has helped operational staff optimize treatment during both stable and rapidly changing raw water conditions, resulting in a reduction in coagulant and polymer usage by approximately 21% while exceeding treatment objectives. Over the last year assessments have been completed at several other conventional water treatment plants in Western Canada to assess the transferability of the technology. The assessments have included WTPs with varying source waters, coagulants, clarification technologies, and levels of instrumentation. This presentation will provide an overview of coagulation, machine learning, and the results of the WTP evaluations. Specific challenges related to data gathering, exploratory data analysis, and modelling will be highlighted. Potential challenges and benefits of the technology will be discussed, and the overall results of the assessments will be shared.

Abstract In 2022 Pure Technologies, along with AECOM performed an electromagnetic inspection on the Branch Aquaduct 2 1650mm - 18.6 km pipeline for the City of Winnipeg. The inspection was performed via the PipeDiver platform. It was the longest PipeDiver inspection completed to date in North America. This abstract will discuss all the planning, inspection details and results of the inspection. The City of Winnipeg retained Pure Technologies, a Xylem brand (Pure Technologies), to conduct a condition assessment of the prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) in the 1650-millimetre Branch II Aqueduct in Winnipeg, Manitoba. On September 21, 2022, Pure Technologies used its proprietary PipeDiverâ„¢ platform, a non-destructive electromagnetic inspection technology to locate and identify pipes that have broken prestressing wire wraps. The PipeDiver inspection covered a cumulative distance of 18.63 kilometres and spanned a total of 3,826 pipes from the Deacon Water Treatment Plant to the South Cell of the Wilkes Reservoir. Analysis of the data obtained during the inspection determined that 33 pipes in the 1650-millimetre Branch II Aqueduct displayed an electromagnetic anomaly consistent with prestressing wire damage, ranging from 5 to 20 broken wire wraps. Following the conclusion of the inspection, Pure Technologies performed structural evaluations on the PCCP pipes of the Branch II Aqueduct. The structural evaluations are intended to determine if the pipeline is operating under safe conditions based on design standards, as well as show the structural consequences of broken prestressing wires on a pipe. These evaluations include: - American Water Works Association C301 and C304 Design Analysis - Three-dimensional non-linear finite element analysis (FEA)

This presentation outlines a comprehensive project undertaken by Associated Engineering for the Manitoba Water Services Board and the Town of Niverville, a rapidly expanding municipality in Manitoba. Faced with a burgeoning population and increased demand for water, the existing 20 L/s treatment plant struggles to meet requirements during peak periods. The proposed 40 L/s water treatment plant expansion aims not only to address current deficiencies but also to accommodate the anticipated growth, reaching a forecasted capacity of 80 L/s over the next two decades. The presentation outlines the detailed design, including reservoir storage, membrane treatment units, and iron filtration for bypass streams, along with upgrades to remote well sites. The strategic approach involved minimal disruption to existing infrastructure, ensuring scalability for future expansions. The project's multifaceted scope, involving equipment RFP package creation and tender documentation, emphasizes sustainability, resilience, and long-term viability for the Town's evolving water needs.

Water treatment plants supplied by surface water must ensure that treatment processes are sufficiently robust to handle rapid increases in raw water turbidity and natural organic matter (NOM) that occasionally accompany spring runoff or heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the likelihood of extreme weather events, causing more variability in source water quality and underscoring the importance of robust treatment operations. Robustness refers to the ability of treatment systems to produce safe drinking water and maintain desired water quality consistently, even during adverse changes in raw water quality. High turbidity creates obvious challenges for clarification and filtration processes, whereas high NOM increases coagulant demand, not only affecting turbidity removal but also increasing disinfectant requirements and associated by-product formation. For plants relying on UV disinfection, controlling NOM is particularly important for maintaining adequate UV transmittance. The robustness framework developed by Nemani et al. (2023) applies quantitative metrics to all critical treatment processes, taking into account both turbidity and NOM removal, to allow an overall assessment of robustness. This presentation illustrates how a combined approach, using indices for both turbidity and NOM removal, has been applied to ten years of water quality and operational performance data to determine the robustness of two plants that occasionally experience extremely adverse source water quality conditions with turbidities >1000 NTU and colour > 100 TCU. After reviewing historical operational practices and treatment effectiveness during extreme source water quality events, alternative short-term adaptation options were evaluated. The resulting recommendations will allow a more proactive approach to applying operational interventions during impending events. The evaluation is also expected to guide long-term planning decisions related to infrastructure upgrades and alternative process selection. Reference: Nemani, K.S., S. Peldszus, P.M. Huck, 2023. ACS Environmental Science & Technology - Water, 3(5), 1305-1313.

In 2009, the Northwest Territories (NWT) Public Health Act made it mandatory to have certified operators in each water plant. The NWT has successful, skilled operators that provide safe drinking water within their communities. Since 2009, many water treatment plants have upgraded from a Small System to a Class I, or a Class I to a Class II with more complex treatment. The increased use of computer programming and more complex water treatment trains has meant that operators have a steeper learning curve to ensure safe, potable water within their community. Traditional certification exams have proven to be challenging for many operators, leaving them uncertified, often due to the test format or other barriers. Community water plant operators often find that certification exams do not reflect what they do in their water plants. Some operators take longer to learn, or learn differently, and the teaching style may need to be tweaked based on an individual operator's needs. The NWT has been re-assessing how to better support operators. Occupational Certification can support varied learning behaviours and styles (more hands-on learning and physical operator demonstration of their skills). In light of that, the NWT is now moving toward Occupational Certification. This program aims to focus largely on demonstrable aspects of water treatment, where operators can work with the Circuit Riders or a third party to demonstrate that they understand all functions of the water treatment train, chemical testing, on-site bacteria sampling (TC/EC) Colilert tests, and the math required for daily operation. Once an operator is confident in their skills, a third-party water treatment expert will assess them based on their knowledge and expertise within their own water plant. The goal is to get the best out of operators in smaller communities and increase their sense of pride and confidence in their work.

The Multi-Stage Slow Sand Filter combines the simplicity of a slow sand filter with the pre-treatment processes that allow its use on relatively high colour and organic laden waters. The pre-treatment includes roughing filtration and when required pre-ozonation. This presentation will focus on the key design aspects and the operational requirements of the system with reference to two case studies, one in Saskatchewan operating since 2009 with pre-ozone, and one in Ontario commissioned in 2023 also with pre-ozone.

The Town of Lynn Lake is a remote community of 579 people in northern Manitoba known for its mining and premier sport fishing in the province. The Town's water supply infrastructure was originally constructed in 1955-56 by the local mine to utilize the West Lynn Lake as a raw water source and supply drinking water to both the Town and the mine. No treatment of raw water was provided at the time except for chlorination. A Water Treatment Plant (WTP) building was constructed in 2003 but did not include a treatment system. Due to limited funds, only the building and reservoirs were constructed, and some upgrades to the existing pumphouse were implemented. Between 2010 and 2012, the Town solicited and commissioned a water treatment system consisting of greensand filtration followed by membrane filtration. Shortly after, the treatment system experienced multiple operational issues and equipment failures resulting in the treatment equipment going completely offline. Untreated raw water was chlorinated and stored in an underground concrete reservoir and distributed via the Town's recirculating distribution system. The treated water did not meet the provincial drinking water standards and the Town was put on a boil water advisory in October 2012. In 2020, Stantec was retained to undertake a feasibility study addressing future growth requirements, review alternative raw water supply sources (groundwater vs surface water) and develop/design an appropriate water treatment system to lift the boil water advisory. Groundwater and alternative surface water sources were evaluated, but the only viable option was to continue drawing surface water from West Lynn Lake. Raw water is characterized by high organics (7 to 13 mg/L TOC), color (30 to 60 TCU), iron (0.25 to 1.1 mg/L), low turbidity ( 1 to 3.0 NTU) and very low total alkalinity of 8 to 13 mg/L. Based on technical and economic factors, a dissolved air flotation (DAF) followed by gravity filtration was identified as an appropriate and cost-effective approach to meet the challenges of the raw water quality. A bench-scale study was completed to confirm the effectiveness of the DAF/gravity filtration process including optimal operating conditions and identifying appropriate treatment chemicals and their dose. Utilizing a collaborative approach with the Town, Stantec developed a design that included selective re-use of existing infrastructure, maintaining water supply to the Town during the upgrades/construction, and implementing a DAF/gravity filtration process to meet the drinking water requirements and lift the boil water advisory. The project was delivered within the available budget of $6.4 M and achieved substantial completion on November 3rd, 2023, despite supply chain issues during the COVID-19 era. The Lynn Lake WTP provides a new beginning for the Town as they plan to extend services to promote local mining activity, and residents have seen a significant improvement in their potable water quality. The paper showcases the planning, process design and construction challenges for a small remote community that has struggled with providing the basic amenity of providing clean drinking water to its residents for over a decade.

When many of us think of Nuclear Power, we likely think of the Simpsons, and certainly, we all recognize the classic cartoon figure, Homer Simpson. The Nuclear Power Plant Operator who eats donuts, constantly falls asleep, and neglects his duties. Homer had no idea how to operate such a complex facility and certainly wouldn't be any better off with today's technological advancements and the strive for continuous improvement. The EPCOR (Great Lakes Partners) Darlington Demineralized Water Treatment Plant (DWP) is located on the footprint of the Darlington Nuclear Generation Facility in Ontario. In 2021, EPCOR began a 30-year Design, Build, Finance, Own, Operate, and Maintain Agreement (DBFOM) with Ontario Power Generation (OPG). The Darlington Facility generates over 20% of Ontario's electricity needs and is the future home of Canada's first grid-scale Small Modular Reactor. This presentation will outline the structured 30-year partnership, how risk is transferred to and managed by EPCOR, how the facility was commissioned and integrated into the OPG operation, a sneak peek of the systems employed, how we continue to add value after the construction is complete, and how we work to create and maintain trust over time. And, of course, we will touch on the technology employed, which allows us to take water from Lake Ontario and purify it down to a resistance of fewer than 0.005 microSiemens per meter and total solids of less than 80 micrograms per kilogram!

This presentation will showcase a unique hybrid DAF technology implemented at the Ruthven Water Treatment Plant in Southwestern Ontario and will cover the existing system, the basics of DAF, how the new hybrid DAF was integrated into the existing system, and the performance since construction. The raw water source for the plant is Lake Erie. Lake Erie is the shallowest and warmest of the Grate Lakes, which leads to frequent and severe algae blooms often concentrated near the plant's intake. Additional challenge is posed by so-called high turbidity events (HTE), i.e. periods when lake sediments are disturbed either by storms on the lake or by pulsing river discharge. The turbidity of raw water intake may exceed 400 NTU. Water treatment systems in such conditions need to be able to simultaneously and effectively remove solids that naturally tend to float, like algae and heavier mineral suspension which tends to settle. The existing treatment plant comprised of upflow clarifiers followed by gravity sand filters. The clarifiers were effective in the removal of heavier mineral solids but struggled with removing algae. A pilot test of a conventional DAF proved that DAF would be able to remove the algae, but it could be overwhelmed with mineral solids during HTE. The project team chose a third option: combining the two technologies for a different solution. In 2020, the project converting one of the clarifiers to a hybrid DAF commenced. The clarifier mechanism was completely removed and a new internal mechanism including flocculation well, reaction zone, new scum throughs and sludge rakes was installed. The result was a system that effectively doubled the unit capacity without increasing its footprint. The new hybrid system proved to be easy to operate, and resilient to both fluctuating water demands and fluctuating intake characteristics.

The City of Brandon's Water Treatment Facility (Facility) operates as a conventional lime softening plant with residuals treatment with a current capacity of 54 ML/d, with the intent to increase the water system capacity with the construction of a new membrane plant. The transition from a conventional solid contact unit (SCU) facility to a combined SCU and membrane water treatment facility may affect water quality stability and the potential for corrosion or scaling in the distribution system due to the lower pH and alkalinity of the filtered water. Consequently, filtered water will be mixed with treated facility water before distribution to mitigate these effects. Health Canada recently lowered the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of lead from 10 to 5 µg/L at the consumer's tap. Despite the City's regular replacement of lead service connections within public rights-of-way, it seeks additional methods to reduce lead concentrations in its distribution system. As a result, the City is conducting a bench-top study (Rapid Response Rig) to assess current and future water quality impacts using harvested lead service connections. Current corrosion control treatment (CCT) at the water treatment facility includes pH adjustment with carbon dioxide. However, the City plans to implement orthophosphate-based CCT as part of the Facility upgrades. The findings from this Rapid Response Rig will guide the selection and dosage of the corrosion inhibitor. Jacobs conducted a desktop water quality assessment to understand the current corrosivity of the Facility's raw, treated, and distributed water, as well as the expected corrosivity of future treated water following the addition of the membrane plant, the blending of the existing Facility and membrane plant waters, and the addition of orthophosphate. Initial desktop modeling of the expected water chemistry and corresponding scaling and corrosion indices provided theoretical estimates for water chemistry and pipe scale behaviors. These modeling results were used to design the Rapid Response Rig, the operation of which will proceed in two phases. The reasoning behind and the details of these phases will be discussed, as well as the available results from the study. This presentation will be of interest to owners and operations staff who are implementing or optimizing corrosion control programs due to the reduction in lead and copper MAC values.

A recurring challenge for water treatment systems using surface water sources in Northern Manitoba and Northern Ontario is ensuring that disinfection by-product (DBP) concentrations in treated water are below their Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MACs) as outlined in the provincial and federal guidelines. Two (2) groups of DBPs of interest include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total organic carbon (TOC) are known as DBP precursors as they can react with chlorine, a commonly used method to disinfect drinking water, to form DBPs. An effective water treatment system must therefore be able to reliably and consistently remove sufficient DBP precursors to ensure that DBPs are below their respective MACs. The same levels of DOC / TOC in one system may behave differently from the DOC / TOC drawn from another source. Further, concentrations of DOC / TOC can have considerable seasonal variations even from the same water source, underscoring the importance of obtaining as much historical raw water quality data and completing as much site-specific testing as soon as possible, as well as utilizing conservative design practices. Neegan Burnside Ltd., with the help of various water treatment suppliers and laboratories, has recently completed bench-scale and pilot-scale testing programs for several communities in Northern Manitoba and Northern Ontario to inform and support treatment system design. The primary focus of the bench-scale and pilot-scale testing programs was the removal of DOC / TOC and preventing the formation of THMs and HAAs. Simulated distribution system testing was completed to evaluate THM and HAA formation. Several alternative treatment technologies were evaluated including conventional filtration, membrane filtration, slow sand filtration, granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration, ion-exchange as a post-treatment process, and Magnetic Ion Exchange (MIEX®) as a pre-treatment process. In addition to treatment effectiveness, technologies were evaluated against other criteria including capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) cost, ease of operation, and operator familiarity, among others. An important consideration was the lifespan over which filtration media would provide effective treatment, and the process required to restore treatment capability of the media. As an example, GAC filtration has historically been used as an effective post-treatment process to remove organic content in water. Over time, GAC media is exhausted and must be replaced or treatment performance will decline. Rapid small scale column testing (RSSCT) for GAC media was completed to estimate the lifespan of GAC media and the results indicated a short lifespan at some sites, dependent on the other water treatment processes upstream. Information such as this suggests that the required replacement frequency of GAC media to maintain treatment at an acceptable level should be considered using site-specific testing, especially if there is a reliance on the media to remove sufficient DOC / TOC to meet the required guidelines.

In 2018, the City was required to undertake an environmental impact study of the waste stream's effects on the South Saskatchewan River. The purpose of the study was to assess the downstream impact the treatment system residuals will have on the receiving stream and to determine the assimilation capacity of the receiving water body. The study was completed by Clearwater Environmental Consultants Ltd. From the evaluation of the process waste streams, it was found that the CBD, FBW, and FTW streams would not meet discharge requirements and would require further treatment. Following this study, the City was required to construct a residuals management facility before December 30th, 2024, to handle the WTP waste streams and maintain the City's Operating Approval. In 2020, MPE and our design partner AE2S were commissioned by the City to provide engineering services for the detailed design, tendering, and construction of the WTP Residuals Management Facility. MPE/AE2S began with an extensive preliminary design phase, which included a thorough review of the basic design concepts previously established and the development of the final design criteria. Review of final design concepts with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) was also a key component. The strategy utilized for the CBD stream was connecting to existing piping near all the existing clarifiers to reroute the flows to the new Blowdown Transfer Pump Station (BTPS). After reaching the BTPS, the CBD would be pumped to the new Residuals Management Facility (RMF) on the eastern part of the site. At the RMF the CBD would be dewatered for disposal. The FBW and FTW waste streams require additional treatment to avoid any negative impacts on the South Saskatchewan River. The Residuals Clarifier was added for further treatment of the FBW/FTW streams prior to being discharged to the river. The CBD from this process will be transferred to the RMF to go through the same dewatering process as the blowdown from the existing Solid Contact Unit Clarifiers. All liquid residuals from the thickening and dewatering process at the RMF will be pumped to the Residuals Clarifier Building (RCB) for further treatment prior to river discharge. Tendering of this project occurred between the fall of 2022 and the spring/summer of 2023, utilizing multiple contracts. Construction commenced on site in late March, 2023 and will continue through the remainder of 2023, 2024 and into the spring/summer of 2025. Full implementation of the project is required by the end of 2025. This paper provides a background for the entire project, focusing on the design concept development. Discussion on the early phases of construction will also be included.

Corrosion in water infrastructure has been largely misunderstood by cites, designers and operators for decades. There are many ways to protect water infrastructure and those solutions can get jumbled and confusing. This presentation will get back to the science of what corrosion is and how it directly effects the most important resource. Many believe that the science of corrosion is simple. We put metal components in the ground, and they get broken down. This is a false and misleading narrative and can be confusing for professionals to fine the right solutions. Microbial and galvanic corrosion have different effects and properties. Moisture content, sulfides, redox, PH value, bi-metallic connections and stray currents all have an impact on how the metal components in water systems will be affected by corrosion. Corrosion in water systems can be stopped but first it must be understood. Prevention is also greatly misunderstood, there are several ways to stop corrosion but even more companies that provide them. This presentation will go through all the main corrosion prevention methods: bonded coatings, polyethylene encasement, cathodic protection and petrolatum tapes will all be discussed. Going through all the methods giving a background of science will shed light one a previously confusing subject. The waterworks industry will always use metal components this presentation will explain how to protect them for generations.

Managing Water Loss in today's water systems is a significant challenge for all Water System Managers. The need to supply water at adequate pressures for all types/demands of customers, as well as for fire protection is an ever-changing challenge. Adding the Financial and Regulatory demands that are now requiring water managers to do even more with less money, as well as reduce the water being supplied. pressure management and leak detection are key strategies to help achieve everyone goals. Managing water pressure can help save water, money, and reduce pipe bursts, and then adding a leak detection and leak monitoring program will help save as much lost water as possible Key topics of the session - What is Non-Revenue Water (NRW) - Why do we want to reduce it - 4 Pillars of Water Loss Reduction - What option does one have for Leak Detection and Leak Monitoring, and how to implement them to save water and reduce system downtime. - Pipe Condition Assessments and how they help guide you to the right pipe to be replaced. - District Meter Areas (pressure zones) how these are implemented for system management - How does Pressure Reduction reduce leakage and pipe burst. - Different methods and equipment to reduce pressure

Aquatera Utilities Inc.'s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a major facility providing wastewater treatment services to the Grande Prairie region, covering the City of Grande Prairie and surrounding communities. The current treatment process includes primary sedimentation, biological treatment with a modified Johannesburg process, and secondary clarification. The plant has equalization basins both upstream and downstream of the treatment plant, where Aquatera makes use of these basins to equalize flow prior to treatment, and downstream of the WWTP prior to discharge to the Wapiti River; this project component is critical as further outlined below. Based on regulatory drivers, the WWTP is to implement disinfection to meet an effluent quality of 100 CFU/100 mL fecal coliforms (monthly average) prior to discharge. The project goal includes the design and implementation of a new disinfection system with a treatment capacity of 65 MLD. The project is unique in that both final effluent from the secondary clarifier, as well as gravity discharge from Aquatera's final effluent lagoon, are to be used as the influent feed into the new UV disinfection facility. This provides Aquatera with flexibility in operation of their plant. Currently, the project is in the detailed design phase, with construction scheduled to begin in Fall 2024 and construction completion by August 2025. Stantec conducted a thorough review of various disinfection technologies and ultimately recommended utilizing open channel UV disinfection due to its lowest net present value and proven reliability with lower operational and maintenance requirements. Following the technology selection, Stantec collaborated with Aquatera to further assess potential locations and configurations at the existing WWTP site. Multiple hydraulic analyses were conducted to ensure the design address the limitations in the plant's pumping and conveyance system; this included maintaining flexibility in terms of diverting flow to and from the final effluent lagoon. Additionally, a life cycle cost analysis was provided to assist Aquatera in selecting an option aligned with their satisfaction. Stantec has recently finalized the preliminary design and is now working with Aquatera through the detailed design stages. This presentation will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various disinfection options considered, the selection criteria for UV systems, design considerations for tie-in requirements, and the operational strategy for UV disinfection.

Odour and corrosion are long-standing concerns for all municipal collection systems. If a utility is not receiving any odour complaints, then there is a tendency to think that everything is good. Unfortunately, this is not always the case as even low levels of untreated hydrogen sulphide in a collection system are a human safety problem and can lead to corrosion concerns. In this presentation we will present the background information that all operators need to understand why odours are generated in a collection system, why they are a problem and how we can best treat the odours. In addition, we will discuss how untreated odours can lead to corrosion and how we can monitor the collection system to understand the source and magnitude of the problem. The first portion of the presentation will focus on the background theory of what is happening in a collection system to create untreated hydrogen sulphide. This is material that all operators are already likely to be familiar with, but we will provide a complete A-to-Z of collection systems showing the causes of odour generation and all options available to treat these odours. The second portion of the presentation will work through specific case studies from at least two collection systems in Alberta and BC, providing the details of the comprehensive monitoring and treatment programs that are in place at these systems.

Biomass densification is an efficient way to intensify conventional activated sludge by improving mixed liquor settling characteristics. External physical selection via hydrocyclones combined with adequate biological selection in continuous flow bioreactors helps to maximize densification performance. Although Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) are not directly impacted by settling characteristics, preliminary work indicates that continuous flow densification can improve mixed liquor filterability, which could have a positive impact on MBR operation. This presentation explores the coupling of densified biomass with continuous flow MBR. The main topics covered include: process concept, modeling, full-scale demonstration plant and expected benefits for MBR design and operation including reduced OPEX, improved sludge quality, and improved performance.

This presentation will focus on a new collaborative development process for one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America - City of Houston Northeast Water Purification Plant Upgrade (https://www.houstonpublicworks.org/northeast-water-purification-plant-expansion-project). The challenge was to create a SCADA integration environment among friendly competitors. The revolutionary concept evolved significantly to respond to the challenges of COVID-19. The development partnership involved several consulting/engineering companies including two of the largest in the US as well as major system integrator. Capabilities included the creation of a real time, online, centralized configuration environment for numerous decentralized offices including work-at home. The breakthrough approach has now been adopted as standard practice by at least one of the primary consultants!

Berens River First Nation (BRFN), located on the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg, faces significant challenges in providing adequate water and wastewater services to its growing population. Currently, only a portion of the community has access to piped water and wastewater services, while the rest rely on trucked services. Moreover, the old water treatment plant, constructed in 1998, was struggling to meet the demands of the community, leading to concerns over water quality and system capacity. This presentation will outline the project, beginning with the findings of a comprehensive feasibility study conducted in 2020, which assessed the current state of BRFN's water and wastewater infrastructure and projected future needs based on population growth estimates. The study revealed critical deficiencies in the existing water treatment system, including inadequate treatment capacity, deteriorating infrastructure, and challenges in maintaining water quality standards. Key areas of concern identified include the limited capacity of the treatment plant to meet peak demand, resulting in reduced treatment rates and compromised water quality. Additionally, the raw water quality poses challenges, with elevated levels of colour, turbidity, total coliforms, and iron, requiring improved treatment processes. The presentation will then discuss proposed solutions to address these challenges, including upgrades to the water treatment plant, expansion of distribution networks, and improvements in raw water intake and storage facilities. Furthermore, challenges related to meeting regulatory requirements for treated water will be discussed. Throughout the pre-design work, water quality parameters varied substantially which posed a challenge in determining the optimal water treatment system for the community. Several options were considered, including Ion Exchange, Dissolved Air Flotation, Granular Activated Carbon filters, and Two Stage Membrane systems. The selected treatment system changed from Ion Exchange followed by Membrane Filtration to a Two Stage Membrane system during the pre-design phase after more extensive water sampling was completed. Other challenges to the project included maintaining operation of the existing distribution and treatment system, working in a remote community, and working in cold weather. Through this case study, attendees will gain insights into the complexities of managing water infrastructure in remote Indigenous communities and the importance of sustainable solutions to ensure access to safe and reliable water resources for future generations.