Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine | October 2025
Grit management in anaerobic digestion systems
Canadian cities build for a drier future
Options for dewatered sludge cake transfer
Microplastics monitoring across Canada
OPTIMIZING BIOSOLID S DE WATER ING TO M AXIMIZE S AVING S
Sewage sludge dewatering offers a wide range of potential savings for operators of wastewater treatment plants. The cost of transport and disposal of dewatered solids can amount to as much as 80% of the operating costs of mechanical dewatering. Since dryer solids result in less volume for disposal, the decision to invest in an efficient, reliable and, above all, peakperforming dewatering system is critically important to reducing operating costs.
“The Flottweg centrifuges and the dryer biosolids they produce have saved us about $900,000 annually. Our plant was able to incinerate the dryer sludge without the aid of natural gas, which equated to our high savings. The Flottweg centrifuges also produce cleaner and more consistent centrate.”
Greenway Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ontario
Editor and Publisher STEVE DAVEY steve@esemag.com
Managing Editor PETER DAVEY peter@esemag.com
Contributing Editor DAVID NESSETH david@esemag.com
Design & Production MIGUEL AGAWIN miguel@esemag.com
Circulation BRIAN GILLETT ese@mysubscription.ca
TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD
Archis Ambulkar, Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering
Gary Burrows, City of London
Patrick Coleman, Stantec
Bill De Angelis, Metrolinx
Mohammed Elenany, Urban Systems
William Fernandes, City of Toronto
Marie Meunier, John Meunier Inc., Québec
Tony Petrucci, Black & Veatch
Environmental Science & Engineering is a bi‑monthly business publication of Environmental Science & Engineering Publications Inc. An all Canadian publication, ES&E provides authoritative editorial coverage of Canada’s municipal and industrial environmental control systems and drinking water treatment and distribution.
Readers include consulting engineers, industrial plant managers and engineers, key municipal, provincial and federal environmental officials, water and wastewater plant operators and contractors.
Information contained in ES&E has been compiled from sources believed to be correct. ES&E cannot be responsible for the accuracy of articles or other editorial matter. Articles in this magazine are intended to provide information rather than give legal or other professional advice.
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Let's Solve Water
Infrastructure improvements protect Chippewas of Nawash First Nation from extreme storm events
By Don McBrayne and Hannah Murphy
In October 2016, the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, located in Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula, experienced a heavy rainfall event that caused significant flooding, including washouts and erosion that impacted vital roads and drainage systems in the community.
To mitigate future flood damage and protect public safety, the community sought to better understand how they could improve their community’s resilience. In 2021, local leaders retained Associated Engineering (AE) to conduct a culvert analysis study to identify undersized or damaged culverts in need of replacement and support development of a federal funding request to improve drainage related to roads, including culverts and ditches.
Over the years, AE had built a strong relationship with the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, and developed a good understanding of their infrastructure. This knowledge was key to pursuing the funding request on their behalf.
The project’s survey work included site data collection, as well as hydrologic and hydraulic assessments. AE determined the existing conveyance capacities and which culverts should be prioritized for replacement, based on their condition and potential impacts to surrounding property and infrastructure.
The federal funding request was approved and AE’s team was subsequently awarded the detailed design, tendering, contract administration, and construction services for the project.
As the lead consultant, the project team completed the detailed design of 21 priority culverts to be repaired and/ or upgraded and ditch regrading, as well as the installation of fibre cables and a watermain within the corridor.
Where required, AE designed culverts
and infrastructure.
and ditches to handle increased capacity, considering future flood events and improve hydraulic layouts. The team also designed new erosion and sediment control facilities. Ditch regrading will improve stormwater conveyance and reduce the potential for spilling and/or roadway overtopping.
Four culverts were identified as potential fish habitats and the culverts had to be redesigned for different flow management and pipe embedment. Plunge pools are proposed at many culvert inlets and outlets for erosion prevention, as well as fish passage and prevention of debris accumulation. The durability of culvert inlets/outlets against ice flow damage was also considered.
Construction began in July 2025 with 20 culverts being constructed in the base scope. AE worked with the contractor to determine best materials, considering cost and time constraints, including the potential supply impacts arising from tariff uncertainty. Instead of poly-
mer-coated corrugated steel pipe (CSP), which is more expensive but has a lon ger life-span, AE specified a non-poly mer coating, significantly reducing the cost and additional tariffs associated with polymer-coated CSP. Some of the savings are being used for other drain age improvements to further reduce flood risk.
Don McBrayne and Hannah Murphy are with Associated Engineering. Email: mcbrayned@ae.ca, murphyh@ae.ca
The AE team determined the existing conveyance capacities and which culverts should be prioritized for replacement, based on their condition and potential impacts to surrounding property
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Effective grit management in anaerobic digestion systems starts with testing
Grit is the silent saboteur of anaerobic digestion systems. Though it often makes up less than half of 1% of a feedstock by weight, grit can cause major problems. These include abrasion, worn equipment, reduced digester capacity, costly maintenance and unplanned shutdowns. Yet despite its impact, grit is rarely well understood or systematically characterized.
Knowing which particles in a feedstock will settle as grit is essential for designing effective removal systems and optimizing digester performance. Grit characterization studies offer critical insights that help developers select the right technology, facility owners and managers plan financially for cleanouts, and give technology vendors the ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of their systems.
At Azura Associates, we frequently analyze feedstock samples to assess their impact on commercial anaerobic digesters. We determine whether they are toxic or nutritious, digestible or recalcitrant — typically using 4 to 40 kg of feedstock. Even heavily contaminated samples may contain only 4 g of grit per kg of feedstock. While this is a small amount, over time it can represent a substantial cumulative load.
In high-solids feedstocks, like curbside source separated organics (SSOs), manually compositing a representative sample is difficult due to the material’s density and heterogeneity. To address these problems, there needs to be a reliable, repeatable method to characterize grit in an anaerobic digester feedstock, irrespective of what form the samples come in.
THE QUEST FOR A RELIABLE GRIT TEST
There are several existing grit characterization methods from sectors that include
Mixed tank settling test demonstrates how much grit will settle at a given mixing energy. By this process grit was split into four fractions based on the settling times of the particles. In this photo the vessel on the left has the fastest mixing and the mixing gets slower on each sample to the right, ending with no mixing in the right-most chamber.
wastewater treatment, manure management, waste treatment, and food processing. Standards such as those from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) provide guidance for wastewater, but they are often inapplicable to more complex feedstocks. For example, manure systems often use sand as livestock bedding, which require different sampling and characterization approaches than wastewater, food waste, or SSOs.
When investigating different grit testing methods, we compared the following criteria:
• Compatibility with feedstocks of varying solids content (from <1% to >15% dry solids)
• Ability to detect low-density particles (~1.2 g/cm³)
• Capture of both organic and inorganic grit
• Preservation of grit particle size
• Estimation of volumetric (not just mass) accumulation, and
• Correlation with actual settling behavior in real full-scale anaerobic digesters.
Methods such as wet or dry sieving, settling tanks, ViCAs, elutriation, or par-
ticle density displacement can be used for grit analysis when designing a wastewater treatment plant. Methods such as insert solids, acid insoluble ash, and acid detergent fiber can be used as manure analysis techniques.
DEVELOPING A NEW TEST
Looking at the existing methods, there appeared to be gaps in tests that could be consistently applied against a wide range of anaerobic digester feedstocks. To address these testing gaps, Azura developed the Grit Risk Profile (GRiP), a novel test designed for the specific challenges of anaerobic digestion systems. Drawing from diverse sectors, we created a methodology to accurately characterize grit across a wide range of feedstocks.
Key steps of the GRiP test include guidelines for representative sampling from manure and food waste digesters, separation of grit based on settling time and analysis of particle density (displacement), size (image processing), and composition (chemical methods).
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In the sampling step, grit samples were collected directly from the separated grit from either grit removal systems or during digester clean outs. When collecting samples of raw feedstock, it is recommended to collect at least 10L of feedstock to generate a representative grit sample.
In the fractionation step, sequential settling tanks separate grit into several fractions based on their settling time. These include:
• Fast-settling grit: >1.2 mm, includes coarse sand, gravel, and large organics; settles in poorly mixed tanks.
• Sand-equivalent grit: 0.6–1.2 mm; likely to accumulate without dedicated grit removal.
• Slow-settling grit: 0.1–0.6 mm; remains suspended in well-mixed digesters, but settles in low-solids or poorly mixed systems.
• Settleable fines: <90 µm; likely to remain suspended and may include digestible organics, which should be retained for biogas production. These likely cannot be removed without also removing organics that can be digested. The retention of these organics for digestion and biogas production can be an objective of the grit handling system and digester mixer design.
In the characterisation step, wet grit samples were collected and drained. The wet drained grit was weighed. The weighed grit was then added to a graduated cylinder partially filled with water to measure the bulk density and wet particle density. The weighed grit was then dried.
TESTING PERFORMANCE
To validate the GRiP test, we conducted a series of experiments using a sequential settling tank system designed to capture and characterize the four target grit fractions. We performed calibration tests with sieved sand samples of known sizes and compared the results with grit collected from operating digesters accept-
larger than 1-mm in diameter are likely to settle to the bottom.
ing industrial food waste and SSOs. These tests showed promising results, with the Azura GRiP method effectively differentiating grit fractions based on sand-equivalent size. However, we also identified areas for improvement. Mixing energies used in the test apparatus needed to be correlated with real-world digester conditions to ensure accurate representation of grit behavior in actual full-scale anaerobic digester systems.
EVALUATING THE METHOD
We critically evaluated the GRiP method against the previously established criteria. While the GRiP test provided valuable insights into grit accumulation rates and helped optimize grit removal strategies, it was clear that further refinement was necessary.
The test, as designed, captures organics in the final quiescent tank and the fractionation changes the bulk density of each fraction, biasing any conclusions made about the bulk density that the combined mix of grit will take up in the digester.
Mixing energies in the test are also much higher than we would expect to
see in a digester and the grit fractionation is not as precise as we would like it. High mixing energies will keep more small particles in suspension and potentially wash out particles that could settle in real digesters, underestimating the total grit mass in a sample. For these reasons, the test is still under development, but we will soon be able to offer a test that is faster and better suited to food waste and complex feedstocks.
CONCLUSION
Effectively managing grit in anaerobic digestion systems begins with understanding the nature of the feedstock and selecting the right grit characterization method accordingly. No single test meets all the criteria for all feedstocks. Traditional methods like dry and wet sieving are useful for simple, low-solids streams, but fall short when applied to heterogeneous, high-solids materials like food waste, source separated organics, or manure. Settling-based methods such as ViCAs and elutriation offer better correlation with real-world grit behavior but require pretreatment and
A cleaned grit sample from an active food waste digester. Fine sand is often suspended and washed out of the digester while pieces of stone, glass, bone, wood, and eggshell
Researchers say aerobic granular sludge shows promising results in removing PFAS from wastewater
By ES&E staff
While conventional wastewater treatment systems aren’t designed to handle PFAS, a research team at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) says biofilm-based treatment known as aerobic granular sludge is a promising method to remove the family of chemicals from wastewater.
As per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continue to be found in everyday items like non-stick cookware, cosmetics, and food packaging, these persistent chemicals enter water systems through wastewater and runoff, where they accumulate in organisms and are linked to serious health risks, including cancer, immune suppression, and liver damage. But the TMU researchers say aerobic granular sludge (AGS) treatment can trap PFAS more effectively than traditional methods, even at high concentrations, without compromising the system’s ability to remove other pollutants.
Using AGS, microorganisms stick together and to surfaces, the TMU researchers say. Over 247 days, the team used AGS in two sequencing batch reactors to test synthetic wastewater containing PFAS compounds PFPeA, PFOA, PFBS, and PFDS at concentrations reaching 500 µg /L.
“Our findings suggest that AGS can play a key role as a frontline capture step, separating PFAS from the liquid stream early in the treatment process,” said Rania Hamza, co-founder of TMU’s Water Research and Resource Recovery (WR3) Urban Water Lab.
Both reactors were able to achieve some 95% removal of chemical oxygen demand, ammonia, and phosphate.
Joined by TMU professors Roxana Suehring and Steven Liss, the research team simulated real-world PFAS concentrations based on global wastewater
data. Even under heavy PFAS exposure, AGS maintained over 95% removal efficiency for ammonia and organic matter and retained PFAS up to 10 times more effectively than conventional systems. This is likely due to the granules’ dense, water-repelling structure.
“The most surprising outcome was not just the operational stability, but the clear indications that AGS can adapt and maintain treatment function under PFAS pressure,” said Hamza. “This opens new avenues for resilient, biofilm-based PFAS mitigation strategies.”
Once captured in the sludge, PFAS can then be destroyed using advanced methods like incineration or chemical decomposition, an approach that combines biological containment with targeted treatment.
The research, conducted at TMU’s WR3 Urban Water Lab and published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, offers a scalable solution for municipalities. Since AGS is already in use for nutrient removal, it could be deployed for PFAS control without major infrastructure changes.
The study was supported by TMU’s Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Urban Water TMU, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Canada Water Agency.
For more information, email editor@esemag.com
The AGS research was conducted at TMU’s Water Research and Resource Recovery (WR3) Urban Water Lab. Credit: TMU
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The advantages of diaphragm metering pumps for chemical feed applications
By Jeanne Hendrickson
As chemical feed applications continue to advance, diaphragm pumps have adapted to meet a wide range of performance, control, and chemical handling demands. Understanding the different types and their specific strengths is essential in choosing the right pump for the job. With the right selection, operators can ensure reliable, efficient, and low-maintenance chemical dosing in even the most challenging environments.
Chemical feed application changes have been driven by a number of factors, such as an increased demand for “smart” communication and control capabilities, including compatibility with SCADA systems in drinking water, wastewater, and industrial operations.
Chemical metering pumps are often expected to handle a wide range of flow rates, from very low to high, and to operate reliably at high pressures. While many diaphragm pumps on the market are designed to simply and reliably meet those complex demands, others may not be.
Another consideration is that chemical metering applications increasingly involve the use of challenging chemicals, such as those that off-gas, are highly corrosive chemicals, or are viscous solutions. This has led to the availability of a wide variety of specialized pump options at varying price points.
HOW DO THEY WORK
Fluid feed components include the pump head, the diaphragm, and inlet and outlet check valves. On the suction stroke the diaphragm is pulled backward, opening up space in the pump head and creating a vacuum. The pressure difference causes the inlet check valve to open and fluid is drawn into the chamber.
On the discharge stroke the diaphragm moves forward, decreasing the space within the pump head and pres-
surizing the fluid. The inlet check valve will close to prevent backflow, and the pressure of the fluid opens the outlet check valve, allowing it to be discharged from the pump at a precise rate which has been determined by adjusting the pumps’ stroke.
Knowing which type of diaphragm pump is best suited to a particular application is not always easy. It helps to have a good understanding of different motor technologies and optional features.
TYPES OF DRIVES
The first step in choosing a diaphragm pump is to recognize the types of drive systems available and how each impacts potential applications.
Solenoid — These pumps are driven or actuated by an electromechanical pulse. They are less expensive than other drives and are most often used for intermittent service in non-critical processes. They are reliable as long as they are not running continuously for long periods of time, or at maximum capacity or pressure too often. Solenoid pumps work best when consistent and continuous flow are
not the top priority, as well as when operating at low pressures and with less challenging chemicals.
Mechanical — Diaphragm pumps with mechanical motors are robust and offer higher flow and pressure capabilities. They are offered with single-speed motors with stroke adjustment, or with variable speed motors and smart speed control for maximum versatility and programming.
Electric, BLDC Motors — Diaphragm pumps equipped with brushless DC motors (BLDC) excel in applications requiring continuous operation, where there are high flow rate demands, and when a pump that can perform under higher operating pressure is needed.
Electric drive BLDC motors may initially be more costly, but service life will be longer than that of solenoid-driven pumps.
The downside with all diaphragm style pumps is that they can be susceptible to vapour locking when dosing off gassing chemicals However, there are diaphragm pumping units which are engineered to resist this problem.
An example of a skid with two multi-diaphragm pumps featuring hyperdrive technology. Unlike many types of diaphragm pumps, those equipped with hyperdrive have smoother flows with less noise.
Hydraulic — A pressurized oil interface between the motor drive and the diaphragm gives these pumps the ability to handle higher pressure without excess wear on the diaphragm. Hydraulically driven pumps are durable and reliable, and often come with a number of smart features. However, the features can make them far more expensive than other options, and maintenance can be time consuming and costly.
Hyperdrive — Perhaps the most game-changing of technologies has been the development of multidiaphragm chemical feed pumps equipped with hyperdrive technology. These pumps feature electrically-driven BLDC motors and have the same benefits as single diaphragm pumps. However, hyperdrive technology allows for alternating pumping action between two diaphragms. When one diaphragm is in the suction phase, the other is in the discharge phase, resulting in a smooth chemical feed profile that virtually eliminates the chance of vapour lock, or loss of prime.
The added bonus of low pulsation and near continuous feed at all flow rates and pressures mimics the consistent flow of peristaltic pumps. Multi-diaphragm pumps are known for their smooth, quiet operation. There’s no need for added de-gassing valves or pulsation dampeners.
Blue-White’s dual diaphragm “smart”
Corinna Hoodicoff takes on the role of General Manager of our Environmental subsidiary. A terrestrial and landscape ecologist, Corinna is known for her thoughtful and strategic project delivery approach based on sound risk management.
Selecting an appropriate diaphragm pump depends primarily on the nature of the application. (Left) A dual diaphragm pump. (Right) A single diaphragm pump.
pumps equipped with exclusive hyperdrive technology require very little regular maintenance, and the diaphragms are designed to last the warranty of the pump.
HOW TO DETERMINE THE ONE FOR YOUR APPLICATION?
Selecting an appropriate diaphragm pump depends primarily on the nature of the application. Project engineers should work closely with operators and maintenance personnel to understand their specific needs and wants. It is also important to communicate with the pump supplier to ensure that the pump components will be compatible with the chemical being dosed.
A common mistake is to oversize the
pump to ensure adequate chemical dosing. This should be avoided whenever possible. Nearly all pumps regardless of drive type will lose accuracy during low flow periods.
While many effective pump technologies exist, diaphragm pumps have done an exceptional job of keeping pace with changes and are preferred by many operators. A broad range of diaphragm pump options can be found from simple, cost-effective models for intermittent processes, to robust units that deliver top performance in continuous, critical, highflow, and high-pressure operations.
Jeanne Hendrickson is Vice President of Blue-White Industries. For more information, visit www.blue-white.com.
Associated Engineering congratulates the following staff on their promotions
John Irving has been promoted to Division Manager, Water in Calgary. He has more than 20 years’ experience on major project delivery, including The City of Calgary’s Bearspaw and Glenmore Water Treatment Plants. John brings a collaborative approach to his new role.
Jeff Ruzicka takes on the role of Discipline & Strategy Lead, Water in Calgary. Jeff has more than 20 years’ experience in the design and management of water and wastewater facilities. Jeff will provide technical leadership to support the delivery of complex projects.
Corinna Hoodicoff, M.Sc., R.P.Bio. General Manager, Associated Environmental Consultants
John Irving, P.Eng. Division Manager, Water - Calgary
Jeff Ruzicka, P.Eng. Discipline & Strategy Lead, Water - Calgary
Brandon begins WTP membrane upgrade to improve disinfection
By ES&E staff
The City of Brandon, Manitoba, has begun construction on its new $139-million membrane filtration building at the local water treatment facility, a project designed to treat the challenging Assiniboine River water and return the existing facility to a state of compliance.
Brandon City Council recently approved a bid from NAC Constructors
Construction of a chemical building is also planned to safely store and handle all chemicals used to treat the municipal water supply. Credit: City of Brandon / JACOBS
Ltd. to undertake the advanced membrane technology project, which is the single largest construction contract ever awarded by the city. This project also
aims to improve the water treatment facility’s disinfection byproduct levels. The facility will move from a gaseous chlorine disinfection method to one that utilizes liquid sodium hypochlorite.
A new dual membrane system with ultra-filtration and nano-filtration will support the existing facility, which was built in the 1940s. Construction of a chemical building is also planned to safely store and handle all chemicals used to treat the municipal water supply, eliminating the need for on-site chlorine gas storage. Local officials announced that the addition will provide capacity to explore lead-leaching reduction strategies to benefit older areas of Brandon where lead water service connections may still exist.
Future phases of the upgrade project includes the construction of a new river intake and upgrades to existing portions of the current treatment facility.
Planned upgrades will also allow the Brandon water treatment facility to better manage corrosion control mitigation. The upgrade project is expected to be completed in June 2029.
For more information, email editor@esemag.com
Eliminating lead in school drinking water supply systems
By Shaun Chera
Many older Canadian schools face issues due to aging plumbing. Lead can enter water through lead pipes in old water mains, lead service lines, copper plumbing with lead-based solder, and lead-containing brass or bronze fixtures. Over time, these materials corrode, especially in decades-old systems, increasing the risk of lead contamination. Regulatory changes have been implemented over the years to address this issue. For instance, the National Plumbing Code (NPC) permitted the use of lead service lines until 1975 and leadbased solder in drinking water systems until 1990. Consequently, buildings constructed before 1990, including many educational facilities, are at higher risk of lead contamination in their drinking water due to outdated materials.
HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAD
No level of lead exposure is “safe” for children. While harmful to all ages, infants and children are more vulnerable due to greater gastrointestinal absorption, less effective renal excretion, and different behavioral factors. Even low exposure can cause irreversible brain damage, lowering IQ, impairing learning, and increasing behavioral problems like inattention and antisocial behavior.
In response to mounting evidence of the severe health risks posed by lead, Health Canada revised the Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) for lead in drinking water in 2019, reducing it by 50% from 10 parts per billion (ppb) to 5 ppb. This change highlights the recognition that even minimal lead contamination poses serious public health risks, with governments prioritizing the issue and acknowledging the disproportionate impact on children.
The adoption of national MAC values varies by province and territory, causing regional differences. Ontario, for example, still uses a 10 ppb limit and cites aging pipes, fittings, and fixtures as key
lead sources. While flushing and replacing fixtures help temporarily, the Ontario government acknowledges that the most effective long-term fix is replacing old metallic plumbing with lead-free systems. Due to health risks and regulatory changes, school boards in Ontario and across Canada are urged to modernize potable water systems. Replacing aging infrastructure with lead-free systems protects public health and ensures compliance with evolving regulations to reduce lead in drinking water.
ONTARIO SCHOOL DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS
Ontario Regulation 243/07 under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 requires schools, private schools, and child care centres to regularly flush plumbing fixtures, with frequency based on system age, past lead results, fixture location, and NSF certification status. It also mandates testing: new facilities must test all fixtures within five years, then submit one set of samples annually or every three years, if eligible, for reduced sampling.
Notably, the regulation advises: “For future sampling, we recommend that you rotate where you take your sample. We suggest you start with the fixture that has gone the longest without being sampled or take a sample from a fixture where lead issues have been identified.”
The advisory allows schools to test only one fixture per year, with rotation sugcontinued overleaf…
Initial flushing of the schools’ potable water systems revealed heavily discoloured discharge, providing the physical evidence of systemic contamination.
Mayook Marsh rehabilitation project a win for wildlife and flood and drought mitigation
By Chantelle Abma
On an oxbow of the Kootenay River east of Cranbrook, B.C., Mayook Marsh is a vibrant wetland ecosystem full of life. Situated on provincial Crown land, this marsh plays a critical role in supporting local biodiversity, providing habitat for many species of birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and small and large mammals. The marsh is managed by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). A recently completed restoration project in the marsh is a demonstration of the organization’s commitment to supporting wetlands not just for people, but for the abundant wildlife that spend so much of their lives there.
MORE THAN A DAM
Like all wetlands, Mayook Marsh supports flood and drought mitigation, collecting water during freshet (spring run-
off) and extreme weather events. Water control structures allow for the retention and gradual release of water, helping to prevent downstream flooding while maintaining the marsh’s ecological balance. However, the greatest beneficiaries of this project are the diverse wildlife species that rely on the wetland for survival.
“The area is a gem for biodiversity,” says Kasey McKenzie, conservation programs specialist for Ducks Unlimited Canada and lead biologist on the Mayook Marsh rebuild. “The surrounding landscape is quite dry, but here, there are amphibians, fish, and reptiles. We knew this marsh was worth reinvesting in and protecting. This rebuild guarantees the home of many species is safe for at least another 30 years.” McKenzie is part of a team of biologists, engineers, planners, regulators, environmental con-
sultants and First Nation consultants who helped see this area restored.
Building a resilient future
The restoration effort was brought about by the need to replace an aging water control structure installed in 1976, which had reached the end of its lifespan. In its place, a modern concrete rock chute with modifiable water level controls was installed. The area was graded to improve drainage, and natural-fibre coconut matting was laid down to stabilize the soil, which was seeded with native plants and other forage plant species to support the local wildlife and local grazing cattle.
A REFUGE FOR BIODIVERSITY
Mayook Marsh is home to an impressive array of wildlife, including many species of conservation concern:
Western painted turtles — The Intermountain-Rocky Mountain population of this species is listed as Special Concern under multiple regulations. Mayook Marsh is such a notable habitat for the turtles that BCIT master’s student, Sarah Bennett, completed her thesis on painted turtle nest site selection at the marsh. Bennett trapped over 100 individual turtles during her study.
Columbia spotted frogs — These amphibians are an integral part of the wetland’s ecological fabric. Mayook Marsh is such a notable habitat for amphibians, that UBC master’s student, Megan Winand, completed her thesis on the effectiveness of amphibian mitigation translocation at the marsh.
Bird species at risk — including Lewis’s woodpecker, bank swallow, common nighthawk, and great blue heron.
Mammals and other wildlife — such as elk, white-tailed deer, and various bat species.
CAREFUL PLANNING AND COLLABORATION
While construction itself took just over a month, the project was years in the making. British Columbia’s stringent environmental and archaeological regulations ensured that wildlife, cultural artifacts and infrastructure were all considered. DUC worked closely with professional archaeologists to ensure that any artifacts discovered were respect-
fully identified and managed in accordance with both the Heritage Conservation Act and consultants representing local First Nation communities.
To safeguard the marsh’s biodiversity, extensive precautions were taken before construction began, DUC staff and environmental consultants from DWB Consulting Services installed barriers to prevent fish from entering the work zone. They then carefully relocated turtles, amphibians, and other wildlife. “The turtles seemed quite interested in the project,” McKenzie recalls. “All these little triangle heads popping up! It was nice to see but also unnerving, as we wanted them to stay back!”
Kim Morton, operations manager and senior biologist for DWB Consulting agrees. “The Mayook Marsh provides a diversity of important habitat for a range of species, from turtles to migratory songbirds and waterfowl, to elk and deer. The habitat restoration work conducted by DUC and its partners plays a critical role to ensure that future gen-
erations can enjoy the same wildlife we enjoy today.”
FUNDING AND FUTURE STEWARDSHIP
The project was funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Coors Seltzer, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the BC Ministry
of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, and small grants from Washington and Oregon states. Funding covered planning, permitting, archaeological and environmental assessments, construction and ongoing monitoring.
“This wetland is a great example of a biodiversity hotspot: a major attraction for wildlife in a relatively dry landscape,” explains Sarah Nathan, DUC manager of provincial operations and project manager for the rebuild. “It’s great to know it will remain on the landscape into the future for the species that rely on it.”
DUC will continue to monitor the site annually, ensuring the wetland’s health and the functionality of the new structures. Thanks to these efforts, Mayook Marsh will remain a sanctuary for wildlife, providing a rich and thriving habitat for generations to come.
Chantelle Abma is with Ducks Unlimited Canada. For more information, visit www.ducks.ca.
IEA report shows now is the time to seize biogas opportunity
By Matt Hale
The recent special report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) confirms that the development of anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas is accelerating globally, and that this valuable renewable energy source could provide the equivalent of around 990 billion m³ of natural gas.
“Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane” highlights not only the overall momentum of policy development in the sector, but it also stresses the importance of valuing the co-benefits of AD. These include waste management (and offsetting fugitive emissions from the unregulated decomposition of organic wastes), and the use of digestate, which can improve soil health and offset emissions associated with the production and use of synthetic fertilizers.
HRS has long argued that in order for biogas to reach its full global potential, both the efficiency of the AD process and the benefits of using digestate as part of sustainable farming practices must also be maximized. It is therefore good to see the IEA state, “A relatively small share of the untapped potential for biogases is cost-competitive, but more can be unlocked if co-benefits are valued.”
The report confirms our own conviction that there is significant potential and political will to increase biogas production and use in many parts of the world. However, a challenging economic outlook means that plants will need to operate at maximum levels of efficiency in order to deliver for developers, policy makers, energy consumers, and the environment.
This means that energy efficiency and production need to be maximized, for example, through efficient digester heating using external corrugated tube heat exchangers compared to traditional inefficient internal heating coils, or the adoption of exhaust gas and digestate heat recovery.
Plant performance and longevity can be extended through the use of biogas dehumidification systems to remove water and sulfur from biogas, and the economic and nutritional value of digestate can be increased through pasteurization, evaporation and concentration.
MAXIMIZING PROCESS EFFICIENCY AND DIGESTATE VALUE
As well as heat exchangers for digester heating and heat recovery, which can improve digester efficiency and reliability and reduce downtime and cleaning requirements, HRS offers a number of specific biogas systems to boost production, reliability and value while maximizing energy efficiency in various stages of the entire AD process.
Our biogas dehumidification system removes water from biogas to protect boilers and engines from corrosion and cavitation. It includes heat recovery as standard, increasing overall
HRS’s digestate pasteurization system can pasteurize digestate, feedstocks and similar materials, pre-or post-digestion.
AD plant energy efficiency.
Our digestate pasteurization system is capable of pasteurizing digestate, feedstocks, and similar materials pre-or post-digestion, allowing operators to maximize the efficiency of their overall process while meeting regulatory and customer requirements. Its continuous process is simpler than single tank options and provides up to 70% heat regeneration, making it extremely energy efficient.
This system uses a double-tube heat exchanger to heat the digestate to 167°F above the required pasteurization temperature. This allows for variation in the sludge consistency and its incoming temperature, making sure that the digestate is always properly pasteurized, while the tanks can also be used individually, to allow for routine maintenance.
Our digestate concentration system reduces the volume of digestate while increasing its value, often using surplus heat from the engine or biogas boiler. Not only does it remove up to 80% of the water content, but it also increases the nutrient content, reduces odours, and usually requires no additional energy or water.
Lower water content means reduced transport costs and field traffic, bringing further benefits in terms of reduced compaction caused by the application of the digestate to land. At the same time, the use of acid dosing for odour and ammonia control helps increase the nutrient content of the digestate.
Matt Hale is with HRS Heat Exchangers. For more information, visit www.hrs-heatexchangers.com
Innisifil to upgrade WWTP to BNR system
By ES&E staff
The Ontario government is investing nearly $35 million to support the phase 1 expansion and rehabilitation of the Innisfil Lakeshore Wastewater Treatment Plant, a key step towards unlocking the construction of 10,730 new homes for the community just south of Barrie.
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The funding is being delivered through the first round of investments under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which includes $970 million to help municipalities develop, repair, rehabilitate and expand drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
In Innisfil, the funding will upgrade the existing wastewater treatment plant from an extended aeration system to a biological nutrient removal (BNR) process. The BNR system for biological phosphorus removal will use the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2O) process.
Hatch, retained by InnServices Utilities on behalf of the Town of Innisfil, has overseen construction on the upgrades in spring 2025. The work is expected to increase plant capacity from 17,000 m3 per day in the first phase of the expansion, with provisions to grow to 40,000 m3 per day to meet growing service demands.
According to Hatch, this process change is essential to meet the total phosphorus effluent criteria required for discharge into Lake Simcoe. Other upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant include a new headworks building with mechanical fine screens and vortex grit removal, primary clarification, secondary clarification, tertiary membrane filtration, an ultraviolet disinfection system, and sludge management.
Hatch completed the design, coordinating permits and approvals, tendering the project, and managing post-tender changes with the contractor and client. It also led an engagement process with Curve Lake First Nation to ensure Aboriginal and Treaty Rights were respected.
Ontario is also allocating an additional $250 million and accepting a second round of applications through the
Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, bringing Ontario’s total investment in the fund to $1.2 billion. In this year’s budget, Ontario announced more than $1.8 billion in housing-enabling infrastructure funding through the $825 million Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund
and the $1 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, in addition to funding announced previously through the province’s Building Faster Fund.
For more information, email editor@esemag.com
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Real-time influent monitoring helps Brazilian sanitation company improve and stabilize effluent quality and cut costs
TBy Patrick Kiely
he São Paulo State Base Sanitation Company (SABESP) is Brazil’s largest sanitation company and one of the largest in the world providing water, sewage collection, and treatment to 375 municipalities. Their Suzano
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) faces significant operational challenges due to industrial discharges, rain infiltration, and seasonal variability spiking biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and toxicity, resulting in ongoing treatment issues and poor effluent.
To better monitor influent conditions and ensure efficient, predictable, high-quality wastewater treatment on a continuous basis, the operations team at the Suzano facility turned to SENTRY: Water Monitoring and Control’s realtime BOD and biomass health wastewater quality monitoring platform. This monitoring solution allows WWTP operators to see what exactly is coming into their
Sample SENTRY web dashboard data showing plant upset detections in real time.
plant, improving their ability to treat it.
SENTRY bio-electrode sensors were placed in the sewage channel influent to flag issues as they happen, allowing the team to react quickly, track recovery, and return to normal operations, minimizing the impact on treatment processes. From identifying a continuous increase in BOD concentrations, indicating an organic overload, to demonstrating the impacts of heavy rainfall events suddenly shifting influent strength, these sensors provided the real-time insights into influent dynamics the Suzano team had been missing.
During initial testing, the SENTRY sensors identified influent challenges, helping the Suzano team stabilize and optimize treatment processes against unexpected influent variations. For example, the following conditions were detected, which would have gone unnoticed without the early-on, always-on influent signaling provided by the sensors placed at plant locations never possible before. These included, seven industrial discharge events (high BOD alerts), two influent toxicity upset events, three inflow/infiltration upsets and one severe/long-duration event.
With this early insight, the Suzano WWTP team no longer had to work “blindly” when it came to influent changes, resulting in more resilient, cost-effective wastewater treatment.
NEXT STEPS
The São Paulo metropolitan area is one of the five largest in the world and a
major center for heavy industry. A combination of seasonal changes, extreme wastewater loads and variability makes it difficult for WWTPs in the region to establish the consistency and resiliency needed to minimize operational costs and avoid poor effluent. However, based on SENTRY sensor results to date, SABESP Suzano will continue to leverage their unique, real-time influ-
ent data to refine aeration strategies, monitor toxicity levels, and assess dilution impacts. Their goal is to establish a robust framework for real-time wastewater monitoring, improved treatment efficiency, and cost savings.
Patrick Kiely is the founder of SENTRY: Water Monitoring and Control. Email: pkiely@sentrywatertech.com
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SENTRY wastewater quality monitoring sensors were placed in the SABESP Suzano WWTP’s influent channel.
What to consider in selecting the right isolation valve for municipal water solutions
By Mark Gimson
Choosing the appropriate isolation valve for a municipal water system is crucial, as it significantly affects the system’s efficiency, reliability, and maintenance requirements. These valves are typically operated in either a fully open or fully closed position, serving to control water flow within the network.
Among the various options available, gate valves and butterfly valves are the most frequently employed for isolation purposes in municipal water systems. Check valves also merit consideration for specific applications. While less common, eccentric plug valves may be selected in certain scenarios, though they are more typically associated with raw water or wastewater applications due to their ability to function effectively even when small particles are present in the pipeline.
For smaller pipe diameters, ball valves present a cost-effective option, although they generally have a shorter lifespan compared to other valve types.
When deciding on the most suitable isolation valve for a particular situation, water system managers and operators must weigh numerous factors.
WHAT IS IN THE FLUID?
One of the most important considerations is the fluid that is going through the valve. Is it raw water that may have debris or treated water that may have chemicals? Does the water system treat with free chlorine, ozone, or chloramines for disinfection? Buna-N and EPDM elastomers are the most widely used in the industry. Some believe that EPDM holds up better with chloramine use.
What is the temperature and pressure, as the valve must be able to withstand the system’s operating conditions?
An advantage of a butterfly valve is that the lay length is shorter and are generally less expensive than gate valves.
WHAT IS THE PIPE DIAMETER?
The size of the line that the isolation valve will be in is another important consideration to maintain pressure integrity and prevent leaks. Gate valves are most often used on lines up to 300 mm in diameter and are available with flanged connections and mechanical joint connections, along with several different connection combinations. Gate valves are full port, multi-turn resilient wedge valves that have either a handwheel operator or, on buried service, a gear operator and 50-mm operating nut.
Gate valves are often used as isolation valves on the inlet of a flow meter as they are full port valves with no obstruction in the line and do not count against the meter’s upstream/downstream requirements for accuracy. Another advantage of a gate valve is that exercising the valve, will usually ensure a complete shutoff.
The common alternative to a gate valve is the butterfly valve. These valves are most often used in 75-mm through 3,600-mm pipe-diameter water systems. Like gate valves, they are available in both
flanged and mechanical joint connections. One advantage of a butterfly valve over the gate valve is that the lay length is shorter and the larger the pipe size, the greater that difference is. The benefit of a shorter lay length is that the valve can reduce the footprint of the piping design. Butterfly valves are quarter-turn lever operated and available through 200-mm pipe diameter with gear and handwheel, or gear and a 50-mm operating nut for 200-mm and larger. Butterfly valves are generally less expensive than gate valves. A disadvantage of a butterfly valve is that it has the shaft and disc in the pipe flow. This means there is a permanent obstruction to flow, which is why they are used on clean water systems only.
IS THE LOCATION PRONE TO BACKFLOW?
The last type of common waterworks isolation valve is the check valve or non-return valve. The purpose of a check valve is to prevent reverse flow in a pipeline. There are many different styles of check valves that are available for a water
system. The common choices range from lever and weight, lever and spring, silent check, double disc check, wafer swing check, flex check and a tilted disc check valve. All of these check valve options have their particular benefits and the application that they are best suited for.
Lever and weight and lever and spring check valves are the most common check valves that are in use. These check valves can be provided with oil cushion or air cushion closure. A potential benefit of the lever and weight or lever and spring is that an operator can physically open the check valve by utilizing the lever on the side of the valve. This enables them to see if there is anything trapped underneath it if the flow slows.
Silent check valves are most used on the discharge of pumps and are resilient seated to minimize noise upon closure. A downside to this valve is the added head loss across the valve. Understanding and calculating this head loss is essential for designing efficient piping systems and ensuring the valve chosen can maintain
Regardless of what valves are being considered, it is important to make sure that they meet appropriate standards.
the desired flow rate and pressure within the system.
Tilted disc check valves are commonly used in high-service pumping applications where head loss is critical. These have a very low head loss and can be furnished with top and bottom oil-
filled dashpots that allow controlled closure of the valve.
Flex check valves or rubber flapper check valves may be the most versatile check valves and can be used in both water and wastewater applications. There is one moving part, which is the Buna encapsulated flapper, making it an easy to clean hard-wearing valve. The valve can accommodate a position indicator, allowing plant crews to determine a valve’s position quickly and easily by the visual indicator, and also a backflow actuator for preventing contaminants from entering the clean water system.
Regardless of what isolation and check valves you are considering, it is important to make sure that the valve selected meets the appropriate standards for drinking water and the appropriate AWWA standards for the valves.
Mark Gimson is with Cla-Val, who have representatives across Canada. For more information, visit: www.cla-val.com
Canada releases Plan of Priorities for new chemical assessments
By ES&E staff
The federal government’s confirmed Plan of Priorities, released in July by Environment and Climate Change Canada, outlines upcoming initiatives to address chemical substances in Canada. It includes a list of substances to be assessed and elaborates on activities that support the assessment, control, and management of risks posed by the substances.
Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan, enabled by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), aims to protect human health and the environment by assessing and managing the risks posed from a wide range of substances.
“Initiatives like these will allow us to respond effectively to a changing and complex global chemical landscape and ensure that the right to a healthy environment is considered when making decisions under CEPA,” announced federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Julie Dabrusin.
The new plan builds on Canada’s foundation for chemicals management
The Plan of Priorities is a multi-year, integrated plan for the assessment of substances.
Credit: endostock, stock.adobe.com
under its Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). As Canada works to complete the remaining activities under the current phase of the CMP ending in March 2026, the new plan offers a means of communicating Canada’s intentions with respect to planned activities for addressing substances in Canada over the next several years.
The plan, which was the source of public consultation in 2024, outlines the substances prioritized for assessment and other activities to assess, control or manage the risks to the environment or human health. These range from styrene used in plastic manufacturing, to octocrylene found in sunscreen, as well as 6PPD-Q, which has been linked to fish deaths from rubber tire debris entering waterways. The assessment would determine whether they are toxic or capable of becoming toxic.
Section 68 of CEPA provides the authority to, among other things, determine if a substance is toxic or capable of becoming toxic to human health or the environment according to section 64.
The approach for the identification of chemicals and polymers as assessment priorities under Part 5 of CEPA (Controlling Toxic Substances) was developed to systematically compile and review information on substances.
For more information, email editor@esemag.com
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(Left) Force Flow’s SpillSafe LX drum scale provides integral secondary containment capable of exceeding the 110% requirement for most 200 litre drums and offers a roll-out double-layer polyethylene bladder to enhance containment capability. (Right) Tailored for intermediate bulk containers, Force Flow’s SpillSafe IBC tote scale integrates accurate load measurement with secondary containment.
Spill containment challenges in water and wastewater operations
By Christina Rumbel
From wastewater treatment plants and biosolids processing facilities to drinking water treatment plants and stormwater management sites, chemical handling is a daily reality. So are the risks. Even a small leak from a 200-litre drum of sodium hypochlorite, or polymer, can trigger environmental damage, costly cleanups, regulatory penalties, and reputational harm.
Spill containment is not just a best practice, it is a regulatory requirement under federal and provincial laws, and it is increasingly tied to public trust in water infrastructure.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), requires secondary containment systems for hazardous liquids to be:
• Impermeable and resistant to the stored substance
• Sized to hold at least 110% of the volume of the largest container
• Located and designed to prevent leaks into drainage systems, waterways, or soil.
The Code of Practice for the Environmentally Sound Management of Chemical Substances and sector-specific guid-
ance (e.g., for tetrachloroethylene in dry cleaning) further outline acceptable containment practices.
Most provinces adopt or exceed the federal standard. For example, Ontario requires containment of 110% of the largest container or 100% of the largest plus 10% of the total aggregate volume. Alberta mandates secondary containment for hazardous chemical storage under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA). British Columbia applies similar standards through its Spill Reporting Regulation.
These rules apply equally to municipal utilities, industrial dischargers, and private operators.
COMMON CHALLENGES IN SPILL CONTAINMENT
While the concept of capturing any liquid before it escapes is simple, practical implementation is often complex. Many facilities rely on containment berms, trays, or basins installed decades ago.
Materials degrade, seals fail, and designs may no longer meet current standards. Tight plant layouts, especially in older urban facilities, make it difficult
to add or retrofit containment structures without disrupting operations.
Water sector facilities store chemicals in a range of sizes and formats. These can range from 20 litre pails to 1,000 litre intermediate bulk container (IBC) totes, making “one-size-fits-all” containment impractical.
Operators need to pump from, fill, and move containers daily. Containment systems that obstruct workflows often get bypassed or removed. Also, outdoor storage introduces challenges like rainwater accumulation in containment basins, requiring drainage systems that don’t compromise spill integrity.
Finally, even the best containment system fails its purpose if a slow leak isn’t noticed until too late. Many systems lack integrated monitoring or weightbased leak detection.
SECTOR-SPECIFIC SPILL CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS AND RISKS
Wastewater plants store and handle chemicals such as alum, ferric chloride, sodium hypochlorite, and polymers for coagulation, disinfection, and odour
control. Lift stations may have small chemical dosing setups in remote locations, where containment is harder to monitor. Overflow or equipment failure at these remote points can quickly impact surrounding ecosystems.
These facilities require impermeable basins, secure covers, and systems designed for frequent chemical deliveries.
Biosolids dewatering often requires liquid polymers and conditioning agents, stored in drums or totes near centrifuges or belt presses. Risks include, high chemical throughput and frequent container changes, slippery floors from minor spills, creating safety hazards and the potential for runoff into floor drains or sumps
These facilities require low-profile, easy-access systems that allow quick swap-outs while capturing even small drips.
Many urban stormwater management facilities dose with agents like sodium bisulfite, or alum, to meet discharge requirements. Outdoor storage exposes containers of these agents to precipitation and temperature extremes. Also, mobile dosing equipment can be difficult to pair with fixed containment.
These facilities require portable, weather-resistant containment for mobile operations and robust outdoor basins for permanent installations.
Chlorine, fluoride, ammonia, and coagulants are common in drinking water plants. Risks with them are amplified by the need to maintain absolute separation between chemical storage and finished water. Also, there can be a public health impact from even a small accidental release.
These facilities require fully enclosed, corrosion-resistant containment with integrated leak monitoring.
BEST PRACTICES FOR EFFECTIVE SPILL CONTAINMENT
To overcome these challenges, Canadian facilities are adopting a multi-layered approach, including:
Right-sized containment — Design containment to exceed regulatory minimums, accounting for future chemical storage needs.
Material compatibility — Use materials compatible with stored chemicals to prevent degradation and leakage.
Ease of access — Ensure operators can safely load, unload, and monitor containers without compromising containment.
Integrated monitoring — Incorporate weight-based or level sensors to detect leaks early.
Weather management — Install rain covers or drainage pumps with backflow prevention for outdoor containment.
Training and procedures — Regular staff training on containment inspection, maintenance, and spill response.
While traditional berms and trays remain common, more facilities are turning to integrated containment platforms, which combine chemical weighing and spill capture in one unit. These can reduce floor space requirements, provide real-time inventory data, immediately flag unexpected weight changes that could indicate leaks
Force Flow’s SpillSafe line is one example of this approach, offering drum and IBC containment systems with built-in scales that meet the 110% volume requirement while streamlining chemical monitoring.
BUILDING RESILIENCE THROUGH BETTER CONTAINMENT
Spill containment in water and wastewater operations is both a regulatory necessity and a public responsibility. Canadian facilities face a wide range of practical challenges, from aging infrastructure to space constraints and diverse chemical handling needs.
By prioritizing containment systems that are accessible, compliant, and integrated with monitoring, utilities can protect the environment, ensure worker safety, and maintain public trust.
While technologies like integrated containment scales can make compliance easier, the foundation remains a commitment to best practices, proactive maintenance, and continuous improvement.
Christina Rumbel is with Force Flow. Email: christina@forceflow.com
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Researchers call for ethical protections over Indigenous genetic privacy in wastewater surveillance
By ES&E staff
Arecent study from the University of Guelph highlights ethical concerns surrounding Indigenous genetic privacy in the rapidly expanding field of wastewater surveillance.
Published in Genomic Psychiatry, the research underscores the need for specialized ethical frameworks to ensure Indigenous communities maintain control over their genetic data. The researchers say wastewater samples can reveal sensitive health information, including genetic predispositions, disease prevalence, and medication usage.
Given that Indigenous communities often inhabit distinct geographical areas, researchers argue that the collection and storage of wastewater samples pose serious privacy challenges.
While wastewater-based epidemiology has become an essential tool for tracking disease outbreaks and monitoring community health, study co-lead author, Dr. Melissa Perreault, from the University of Guelph’s Department of Biomedical Sciences, said the technology’s ability to analyze detailed genetic information poses significant risks for Indigenous populations.
“Wastewater-based epidemiology has revolutionized how we track disease patterns and community health indicators,” Perreault said in a statement. “However, the technology’s ability to capture detailed genetic information creates unique risks for Indigenous communities, who have historically faced exploitation in genetic research.”
Co-lead author, Professor Lawrence Goodridge, highlights the long-term stability of genetic material in wastewater samples. “What many don’t realize is that genetic material in purified wastewater extracts stored at −80°C shows minimal degradation even after two years,” announced Goodridge. “This long-term stability of genetic information raises important questions about data sovereignty.”
The research draws parallels between wastewater surveillance concerns and past incidents where Indigenous genetic data was misused. Notable examples include the unauthorized genetic ancestry research conducted on Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations’ blood samples and the controversial Havasupai diabetes study, in which collected genetic material was later used for unrelated mental health research without consent.
To address concerns, the study proposes several key recommendations:
• Developing ethical guidelines specifically for wastewater
surveillance in Indigenous communities
• Establishing robust consent processes that respect Indigenous governance
• Creating clear protocols for sample storage, sharing, and destruction
• Implementing Indigenous data sovereignty frameworks
• Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into surveillance practices.
The researchers stress that balancing public health benefits with privacy protections requires genuine community engagement. “Indigenous communities must have full control over how their wastewater data is collected, used, and shared,” says Perreault.
With the technology’s applications expanding, the study emphasizes the importance of ethical guidelines to safeguard Indigenous rights while still benefiting public health initiatives.
For more information, email: editor@esemag.com
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Study co-authors Dr. Melissa Perreault (left) and Professor Lawrence Goodridge are both with the University of Guelph.
Fleming College co-launches research project to predict water pipe failures
By ES&E staff
The joint Fleming College-Mueller research team will apply its combined expertise in pipe network modelling, hydraulic analysis, and machine learning to improve a tool that predicts when and where pipe failures are most likely to occur. Credit: JHVEPhoto, stock.adobe.com
Fleming College has been awarded $450,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to support a three-year research project aimed at identifying water system failures before they occur.
The Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant project is a new phase in a longstanding collaboration between Fleming’s Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT) and Mueller Canada, a manufacturer of infrastructure products and solutions for water management.
Echologics, a division of Mueller Canada, has developed technologies to assess the condition of underground water
pipes without the need for digging. Now, they’re teaming up with researchers at CAWT to advance the next generation of the technology.
Led by CAWT Principal Researcher, Reza Moslemi, the new project builds on the momentum of an earlier fiveyear project that he also led as Fleming’s NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Predictive Water Network Analytics.
Drawing on this foundation, the Fleming-Mueller research team will apply its combined expertise in pipe network modelling, hydraulic analysis, and machine learning to improve a tool that predicts when and where pipe failures are most likely to occur. This project will help municipalities better plan pipe renewal activities and effectively manage their aging water infrastructure.
“This new project builds on years of strong collaboration between Fleming College’s CAWT and Mueller Canada,” says Theresa Knott, acting co-president of Fleming College. “With the leadership of our NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Predictive Water Network Analytics, this partnership has already advanced the field of water main condition assessment. Now, we’re taking that work further to support smarter, more resilient water infrastructure. It’s a powerful example of applied research that delivers long-term impact.”
The resulting predictive model will become part of Mueller Canada’s suite of smart infrastructure solutions, which it says will help the company and its municipal and utility clients make better decisions, reduce costs, and help support more sustainable and reliable water systems across Canada.
For more information, email editor@esemag.com
IAEA research uses isotope technique to help cities secure drinking water
By ES&E staff
An international research project coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has shown that isotope-based techniques can help cities better protect and manage their drinking water supplies.
The five-year initiative, which ran from 2018 to 2023, brought together scientists and water experts from 10 countries to develop and apply high-resolution isotope tracing methods in urban environments. Using stable isotopes, which are natural variations in water molecules that act as unique identifiers, researchers can track water origins, detect evaporation losses, identify mixing between sources and pinpoint contamination faster than conventional methods.
The findings are already shaping water management in participating cities. In Costa Rica’s Central Valley, scientists traced seasonal shifts in water sources, improving supply planning.
“Understanding the seasonal shifts in our water sources has helped us better plan for dry periods and ensure consis-
Empty drinking water reservoir in Heredia, Costa Rica, affected by El Nino in 2019. Using stable isotopes researchers can track water origins, detect evaporation losses, identify mixing and pinpoint contamination faster than conventional methods. Credit: R. SanchezMurillo/University of Texas
tent supply to our residents,” said German Esquivel-Hernandez from the Water Resources Management Laboratory at Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica.
The international collaboration featured researchers from Argentina, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Morocco, Nepal, Romania, Slovenia and the U.S. They adapted the techniques to local challenges, combining scientific precision with practical application.
In Kathmandu, Nepal, isotope data has already been incorporated into daily operations to trace where the water comes from and how it changes.
Other cities have used the research to improve water quality. “The isotope data helped us identify blending zones in our network and optimize treatment processes,” said Klara Zagar of the Jozef Stefan Institute in Slovenia.
Ricardo Sanchez-Murillo, a senior researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington, called the approach “invaluable” for managing urban water supply systems, adding: “These techniques will play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of urban water supplies in the face of growing water demand and climate variability.”
The project also produced training programs, policy frameworks and peer-reviewed publications to build longterm capacity in isotope hydrology.
For more information, email editor@esemag.com
How one water operator’s hands-on vision is reimagining WASH for schools across Ethiopia and beyond
By Mike Hewitt
Born and raised in East Africa, Asmahan Rabo immigrated to Canada as a late teenager, and charted a path through technical study to become a laboratory technician specializing in chemical technology and water quality testing. She returned regularly to East Africa, reconnecting with family, culture, and the persistent challenges she had never stopped caring about. In 2017, moved by a shared sense of purpose with her late mother, she founded Needs4Water, a humanitarian initiative dedicated to addressing the clean water crisis not just with infrastructure, but with education, community trust, and local ownership.
At the heart of her vision was a hands-on, community-based model. Rather than simply deploying technology, Needs4Water focused on training families, teachers, and students on water safety, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
This people-first philosophy quickly earned the trust of communities across Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya, where residents began to see her not as an outsider, but as a partner, someone who could speak their language, understand their culture, and work together to improve living conditions.
Today, Needs4Water is recognized for “leading change in water quality and education” across East Africa. Its open-hand and water-drop logo, conceived during the early days of the organization, stands as a reminder of the hope that flows from every well, every tap, and every new WASH initiative that Rabo champions.
In 2017, Needs4Water launched its first field project in Mwambo Kwale,
Kenya, conducting water safety and risk assessments in rural communities. Residents collected water from wells and boreholes without reliable knowledge of its safety.
Rabo introduced basic water quality testing and led discussions about household storage practices. The following year, in Wasini Kwale, she shifted her focus to education, teaching families how to keep drinking water safe, clean containers properly, and reduce health risks associated with contaminated water.
By 2021, Needs4Water had expanded into Ethiopia’s Somali Region, where drought and poor infrastructure made daily life a struggle. In Garab Casse, Jijiga, Rabo responded to a humanitarian crisis by delivering food, safe water jerrycans, and public health education to over 100 families. Yet, she didn’t just distribute supplies, she taught procedures. Households learned how to mechanically scrub algae-ridden containers with
sand and small gravel, followed by disinfection with a diluted bleach solution, and how to prevent recontamination during storage.
That same year, Rabo traveled to Hargeisa, Somaliland, where she conducted a review of the city’s water quality control laboratory. She mentored local technicians, shared recommendations on improved sampling procedures, and offered guidance on aligning local lab practices with international standards.
Later that same year, she carried out water quality testing and hygiene assessments in Huurshe and Dusmaley, Somalia, following seasonal floods. These projects resulted in practical recommendations for filtration systems and basic hygiene outreach, to help residents adapt to inclement weather.
In 2023, Needs4Water collaborated with Adili Solar Hub in Kenya, bringing laboratory expertise to communicontinued overleaf…
Students at a school drawing water from the only available water source on the school grounds.
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ties around Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria. Rabo supported the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for water quality testing and recommended affordable, portable test kits. These solutions proved impactful in off-grid, solar-powered water sites, where access to advanced labs was limited or nonexistent.
Later that year, Rabo returned to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to initiate a school-centered intervention at Yeka Kindergarten and Elementary School. Observing that over 75% of Grade 8 students struggled with basic English, a barrier to both academic success and understanding health and hygiene information, she partnered with the Bego Sito organization, which included a medical doctor and a social worker.
Together, they agreed that the students needed additional English language tutoring after school, embedding critical WASH vocabulary such as “germs,” “clean water,” and “latrine” into the lessons, making WASH concepts part of everyday learning. This integrated approach soon became a model for Needs4Water’s school-based programs.
By 2024, Needs4Water had grown its credibility across sectors. At forums like the One Health Conference and the Ethiopia Startup Showcase, Rabo shared insights on how localized, affordable, and education-led WASH initiatives could strengthen community health and resilience.
In May 2025, Rabo led the flagship Ethiopia 2025 WASH survey, a self-funded assessment of water and sanitation conditions in 25 schools across four regions. From crowded secondary schools in Addis Ababa, to dusty village classrooms in Oromia and Somali Region, her team fanned out with notebooks and test kits.
They partnered with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and global experts, employing rigorous methods, water quality tests, infrastructure checklists, and WHO/UNICEF indicators, but also a human touch through a water insecurity scale experience (WISE) survey developed by Northwestern University.
Surveyors walked through playgrounds and latrines with principals, observed handwashing habits during recess, and sat under acacia trees to talk with students about their daily water struggles.
Overall, the team conducted hundreds of interviews to let children and teachers speak for themselves about the state of their water and sanitation. By design, Rabo made sure they listened closely to those who use the facilities every day, especially girls and marginalized students, so that the survey would capture not just technical data but lived experiences.
By pairing such personal testimonials with hard data, the Ethiopia 2025 WASH Survey “married objective facility conditions with the daily realities” of students’ lives. The final report, co-authored by Rabo, outlined clear, actionable recommendations:
• Build separate latrines with doors for girls
• Provide a reliable water supply to drought-prone schools
• Stock basic items like soap, working handwash stations, and menstrual pads
LOOKING AHEAD
As Needs4Water matures, Rabo envisions it not just as a project implementer, but as a knowledge hub. Her vision for
the future of Needs4Water is “scaled-up impact through local empowerment,” growing in reach without losing the grassroots heart of the work. By empowering local champions and young leaders at every step, Rabo is ensuring that clean water and dignified sanitation are not just engineering outcomes, but enduring community-driven achievements that will keep children healthy and in school and give them hope for a brighter future.
Mike Hewitt is with Almaquin Enterprises Limited and volunteers with Needs4Water. Email: mike@almaquin.com
Asmahan Rabo beside the inspirational words of Nelson Mandela at Kokebe Tsibah Secondary and Preparatory School in Addis Ababa.
Needs4Water Team conducting WISE interviews at Sheikh Abdisalan Secondary School in Jijiga.
Some 71% of Canada was either abnormally dry or under drought conditions as of the end of July, according to the Canadian Drought Monitor, which looks at 120 different pieces of data, such as streamflow values. Credit: ECCC
Racing against drought, Canadian cities build for a drier future
B.C. community hopes to cut five-year EA process down to two for new drinking water pipeline, wants wet autumn before the freeze
By David Nesseth
While flood and drought can be considered “two sides of the same coin”, as the International Institute for Sustainable Development puts it, at least one British Columbia city has seemingly had its coin glued droughtside up of late. Its leaders, though, along with a growing number of cities across Canada, are busy calculating ways to improve their odds.
For years, Canada’s cities have been
bracing for wetter springs and rising floodwaters. Now, after one of the driest summers on record across much of the country, they are also confronting the opposite threat: how to secure drinking water in an age of prolonged drought.
In Dawson Creek, B.C., the challenge has become very real. After years of severe drought, the city is pushing ahead with plans for a new drinking water pipeline, most likely to the Peace River, some 55 kilometres away. Officials see it as the best long-term fix for a water system that can no longer count on historic flows from the Kiskatinaw River.
have sustained us until recently, where we see the impacts of this drought causing concerning outcomes in our watershed.”
Now, the city wants the province’s help to fast-track the project’s environmental assessment (EA). “We do not have three to five years for a complete EA process as it sits today,” Henderson adds.
B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) confirmed it’s guiding the city through the exemption review process to avoid a full EA, but even that application process alone could take eighteen months. Once the applications are submitted, the EAO says a 90-day engagement process begins with governments, First Nations and the public. The city will then need to file a detailed project description, which the EAO will review before issuing a recommendation to the environment minister. If successful, it would cut a five-year approval process down to two.
Beyond approvals, the city still faces a steep price tag. It will need funding from senior governments and partnerships with industry and First Nations to move the pipeline forward. Programs like the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and the Natural Infrastructure Fund stand out as primary options, and have been used elsewhere in B.C. to combat drought.
Henderson says he’s been working with a pipeline company in the region to provide some early conceptual numbers, which put the project in the $100-million range. It’s all work to address the fact that the northeast part of B.C. is experiencing a historic period of drought, with the Kiskatinaw River displaying its lowest flows in recorded history.
Over the past 15 years, Dawson Creek has taken big steps to safeguard its water supply. In 2009, the city built a control weir at the river’s headwaters to help keep water flowing during dry spells. In 2024, officials even released water back into the river to sustain winter flows, which shows just how serious the drought has become. To ease the strain, the city opened a Water Reclamation Facility in 2012, providing treated water for industry so more of the fresh supply could go to homes and businesses. By 2018, Dawson Creek added another
“The urgency is real,” Dawson Creek CAO Kevin Henderson told ES&E Magazine. “We have been subject to a prolonged severe drought for the last four years. Our systems and mitigation efforts continued overleaf…
layer of protection: the South Dawson Reservoir. With the ability to store 1 million m3 of water, which is enough to last the city about 115 days, it now serves as a critical drought reserve. Together with other reservoirs they add up to nearly two extra months of supply.
While these reservoirs provide a much-needed buffer, Henderson says if moisture doesn’t increase in the area before the winter freeze, they could end up relying on them solely.
CANADA DRY
Dawson Creek’s situation highlights the fact that 71% of Canada was either abnormally dry or under drought conditions as of the end of July, according to the Canadian Drought Monitor, which looks at 120 different pieces of data, such as streamflow values. From June to August, several regions received less than half their usual seasonal rainfall.
“Some heavy rain fell in August in several areas, but it wasn’t enough to make up for months of shortages,” Environment Canada announced in its final assessment of summer precipitation.
Even Ontario experienced unusual levels of drought, thanks to a summer heat wave. It was the driest summer in the nation’s capital since 2012, and the eighth
driest on record. But Ontario wasn’t alone for the dry spell. In fact, parts of the prairies saw drought extremes, too, and parts of Alberta, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Conditions were remarkably dry in Nova Scotia’s Digby County, where less than 100 millimetres of rain was recorded during the summer. For Saint John, New Brunswick, early indications suggest that it was in fact the driest summer on record dating back to 1870.
During the heart of the summer in late July, 10 of the 40 monitoring stations used by provincial officials in Newfoundland also registered all-time lows.
Even in September 2025, water flow levels continued to reach critical points, leading the B.C. government to force water restrictions through temporary protection orders on farmers and other users when chinook salmon spawning in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek watersheds are threatened.
POSITIVE MOMENTUM ON THE SUNSHINE COAST
More than 1,000 km south from Dawson Creek, B.C.’s Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has faced similar challenges with drought in recent years. In 2022 and 2023, the region was at a Level 5 drought rating, which is the
province’s highest classification. This means ecosystem damage and economic disruption are “almost certain.” But a lifeline has been appearing through a series of resilience-enhancing projects, plus substantial funding of some $117 million early in 2025.
The summer of 2025 saw some rain in the sunshine district, too, which has helped, Remko Rosenboom, SCRD’s General Manager of Infrastructure services, told Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine. “With the main water system on the Sunshine Coast being rain-dependent, the spells of rainy weather have filled our main water source at Chapman Lake,” he says.
Rosenboom notes that the $9-million pumping station near Gibsons, B.C., known as the Church Road Well Field project, can add up to five million litres of water per day to the Chapman Water System during dry months.
“This water supply has been online for the past two years and this summer has been the first where we have been able to use it to its full capacity,” says Rosenboom.
Rosenboom explains that the district has completed its groundwater well exploration project, which has the potential to bolster the Chapman Water System. He hopes that the well could supply up to 74 litres per second for community use, 50% more than the capacity opened by the Church Road Well Field project.
The region is also installing water meters to encourage conservation and improve leak detection for the District of Sechelt. This project is 95% complete and has seen just over 4,000 meters installed. Rosenboom explains that while volumetric billing will not begin for these metered properties for another year, staff are finding leaks as meter installations take place.
“Working with property owners to repair these leaks and ones that have been identified in other areas on the Sunshine Coast has saved a considerable amount of water that would otherwise have been lost from community use,” says Rosenboom.
Partnering with the shíshálh Nation, the SCRD aims to upgrade the region’s existing water treatment plant, and con-
The Pelly’s Lake controlled retention project in Manitoba is a 121-hectare water retention wetland system. Credit: Joey Simoes IISD
struct two large-scale reservoirs to store water from the Chapman Creek watershed, which supplies municipal water to most Sunshine Coast residents.
UH, EAU
Over in Quebec, a dry summer dropped the St. Lawrence River’s water level to 4.1 metres, which is its lowest point in four years and 60 centimetres below the median. These low levels created the illusion of new beaches along the river, but also forced Montreal to spend more on treatment chemicals to keep drinking water safe.
Water treatment becomes more intensive to fight the low-level water taste caused by algae and remove other contaminants that have less dilution than when water levels are at typical levels. But not only does drought degrade water quality, it promotes algal blooms.
Quebec’s low water levels this summer also impacted the water quality of the Rivière-des-Prairies, which is treated at the Pierrefonds/Roxboro water filtra-
Remko Rosenboom, Infrastructure GM, SCRD
tion plant. “As a result, the water treatment process is under significant strain,” Montreal’s environment department warned in an August advisory.
On this same front, a Chinese study released in September 2025 in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering found that emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care
products accumulated at higher levels during consistently dry periods. This subject has been a growing area of focus for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s wastewater monitoring program.
NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) reminds people that weather patterns continue to become more unpredictable. As communities face shorter winters, dwindling snowpack with quicker melt, and hotter, drier summers, populations continue to expand alongside new developments.
Many cities are now integrating longterm climate change adaptation into municipal asset management. Floods and drought can even occur in the same season, but the role of natural infrastructure in flood protection is more commonly recognized than its usefulness for drought mitigation, explains the think tank.
During a recent IISD webinar, Calgary-based biologist Lesley Peterson, continued overleaf…
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Conservation Director with Trout Unlimited Canada, says that communities would do well to consider a perspective shift: one of water coming to rivers, not from rivers.
“We think about a major dam, for example, on a main stem river,” Peterson explained. “That doesn’t really protect aquatic resources. That’s the last opportunity you have to manage water on the landscape.”
Peterson’s work focuses on restoring complexity to degraded streams — where erosion has cut the channel deeper, lowering the water table and reducing habitat. She wants to create a “maze” of pools and side channels for fish and wildlife. “We let the natural system do the work,” she says. This return to complexity could also involve widening trenches and mimicking beaver dams, improving water storage in a number of different areas, Peterson notes.
Peterson, whose work is focused in Alberta, has been watching the rollout of Calgary’s Drought Resilience Plan. The city, which considers drought to be its primary climate hazard, has been busy adding leak detection, while undertaking water main replacements, water metering, and adding low-flow toilets and faucets. From an infrastructure perspective, Calgary’s addition of 2.5 metre high steel gates at the Glenmore Dam in 2020 doubled the storage capacity of the reservoir.
As is the case for most larger cities in Canada, Calgary has a four-stage response plan for implementing mandatory water restrictions in the event of a drought which presents significant water supply shortages.
A wider look at Alberta in 2025 reveals recent funding for the Milk River Watershed Council Canada helped to optimize farmers’ irrigation plans in the face of drought, as well as complete a wetland prioritization framework.
MANITOBA
One example of Peterson’s belief in the power of allowing nature to be less controlled is the Pelly’s Lake controlled retention project in Manitoba, a 121-hectare water retention wetland system. Local officials completed the work nearly a decade ago by increasing water supply and reducing drought risk by
buffering flow, increasing groundwater recharge, and providing 1.48 million m³ surface water storage capacity for agriculture or municipal use.
The La Salle Redboine Conservation District team said that the Pelly’s Lake Watershed Management Project meant backflooding the valley with a volume of water about equivalent to one-third of the Stephenfield Lake Reservoir downstream. It was an effort to return the area to a way that water would naturally flow over the landscape.
“We’re trying to bring back some unnatural order to the system to help it do what it originally would have done
back in the past,” LSRCD district manager Justin Reid told reporters when the project was completed.
Whether through pipes, reservoirs, or wetlands, Canada’s response to drought will hinge on finding a balance between engineered infrastructure and the natural systems that sustain waters. As floods and droughts continue to flip the coin of climate extremes, Canada’s cities are learning that water security will define resilience in the decades ahead.
David Nesseth is a contributing editor with ES&E Magazine. Email: david@esemag.com
Earlier this year, B.C.’s Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) staff undertook drilling for a groundwater well investigation project, which has the potential to bolster the Chapman Water System. Credit: SCRD
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To optimise the effectiveness of MFCs and drive their adoption, it will be necessary to incorporate them into existing wastewater treatment processes. Credit: desertsands,stock.adobe.com
Using microbial fuel cells to treat wastewater and produce energy
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a new and exciting way to treat wastewater, while producing energy. They typically have two main parts: the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. The anode chamber is where microbes perform metabolic activities, while the cathode chamber is typically made of non-living materials. These two chambers are connected by a proton exchange membrane (PEM), which help the process run smoothly.
The idea of using micro-organisms to generate electricity dates back to the 1970s. However, the first time someone used them to treat household wastewater and generate electricity was in 1991.
Recently, scientists have made some great improvements, and now MFCs can generate much more electricity. During the treatment process, they use wastewater pollutants as nutrients and release electrons and protons. Electrons travel through an electrical circuit from the anode to the cathode, while protons move through the PEM. The flow of electrons is what produces electricity. (See Figure 1)
While there are different types of bacteria used in MFCs, it is mainly anaerobic ones, which thrive without oxygen. These include Streptococcus lactis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. Others, like Shewanella oneidensis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa work better
with a little help from mediators, while Geobacter sulfurreducens can do their job without any help.
One challenge with MFCs is that sometimes they need platinum to boost chemical reactions at the cathode, which increases costs. However, there are some other cheaper alternatives like manganese dioxide and certain cobalt and iron compounds. Researchers are working on a bio-cathode that use micro-organisms, instead of metals. These bio-cathodes can work with lots of different materials such as nitrates, sulfates and even some heavy metals. This means more options for treating industrial wastewater.
FACTORS AFFECTING MFCS
There are several factors that can affect MFCs, including electrode materials, types of membrane used, temperature, pH, wastewater volume, biofilm and resistance in the system. For MFCs to operate effectively, the material used needs to conduct electricity well, have a large surface area, be stable, be friendly to the microbes, and be affordable.
While metals like gold, copper and platinum are good conductors, their high cost and potential harm to bacteria can be a drawback. That is why carbon-based materials like graphite rods, brushes, fabrics and nanotubes are often used.
The cathode receives electrons and protons from the anode. Common materials for them include carbon cloth and graphite. Oxygen is commonly used as an electron acceptor, because it generates energy effectively. However, oxygen consumes a lot of energy and it has poor compatibility with the electrode.
However, the use of microbes in bio-cathodes can save costs and improve energy output. Additionally, if bio-cathodes are combined with algae, then an outside supply of oxygen is not required.
We should not forget the importance of the separating membrane, as it allows the protons to move from the anode to the cathode, while keeping oxygen from mingling in the wrong places. A good membrane can handle various chemicals and temperatures and conduct protons effectively. These include cation or anion exchange membranes, ceramic separators and salt bridges.
One popular choice for a cation
Ujjwal Kumar Singh Sandeep Bharti Dr. Ram Naresh Bharagava
exchange membrane is Nafion. It works great, but it can lower the pH in anodes, making it difficult for microbial growth. Higher pH in cathodes can also reduce the efficiency of MFCs. Anion exchange membranes can help to keep the pH stable and improve MFC performance.
Proton movement is important, as it influences both pH and MFCs performance. Bacteria thrive best at neutral pH and any change can affect biofilm growth and energy generation. Biofilm growth is crucial, because a thicker biofilm can use organic materials more efficiently and reduce resistance, which leads to higher energy output.
Using positively charged anodes can help enhance biofilm growth and increase electrical generation. Temperature also plays a vital role, as it directly affects the speed of reaction and energy generation.
MFCs not only generate electricity, but they also create hydrogen gas which can be used in many ways. If we want to boost hydrogen production, the system needs to maintain a voltage of at least 0.23 volts and keep oxygen out of the cathode area.
CONCLUSIONS
Microbial fuel cells are a ground-breaking and environmentally friendly method to treat wastewater, while generating electricity. It is crucial to recognise that further research is necessary to fully grasp their energy production potential on a large scale as multiple factors can impact their performance.
To optimise the effectiveness of MFCs and drive their adoption, it will be necessary to incorporate them into existing wastewater treatment processes. This strategy can significantly enhance treatment efficiency and create self-sustaining systems that generate energy.
Ujjwal Kumar Singh, Sandeep Bharti and Dr. Ram Naresh Bharagava are with Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in India. For more information, email: singhujjwalrishu12@gmail.com, bhartibhartibharti247@gmail.com, or bharagavarnbbau11@gmail.com. References are available on request.
Figure 1: Showing the working and principle of a MFC.
Ontario forms digital portal deal for environmental property records
By ES&E Staff
The initial build phase for the digital portal is expected to last two years. During that time, ISC will digitize and redact millions of legacy Ontario property records. Credit: somyuzu, stock.adobe.com
Information Services Corporation (ISC) has entered into an agreement with Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to deliver a new digital records portal that enables 24/7 self-service access to Ontario environmental property records that aim to improve response times for requests related to
soil, water, and contamination.
Following an initial build phase expected to last two years, which will digitize and redact millions of legacy property records, the contract includes a seven-year operating term with extension options available at the sole discretion of the province.
“The Ontario government receives
over 9,000 property-related information requests each year to support land transactions worth more than $40 billion,” announced Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, in a statement from ISC. “With ISC’s support, the move to a secure, self-service portal will be a game-changer for builders. It will reduce wait times from around 30 days to as little as three and give the industry the tools it needs to deliver housing faster.” The digital portal will also help facilitate land transactions and support decision making tied to land development across Ontario.
As the chosen partner for the province, ISC, which is headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, will deliver the solution through its Registry Operations and Technology Solutions business segments. The company will be responsible for the design, development, and ongoing operations of the new digital records system. The portal is anticipated to be launched in 2027.
For more information, email editor@esemag.com
B.C. ski resort’s wastewater utility fined for failing to employ qualified operator
By ES&E Staff
Aprivate utility that serves a B.C. ski resort has been fined nearly $120,000 for a series of wastewater treatment compliance issues that includes a history of failing to employ qualified operators.
B.C.’s Natural Resource Compliance and Enforcement Database flagged several issues in an administrative penalty report covering Hemlock Utility Services Ltd.’s management of the resort’s wastewater treatment facility. Those issues cover a lack of certification, monitoring and reporting from Sasquatch Mountain Resort near Chilliwack, B.C., which has expansion plans in the works to become one of the largest resorts in the province.
The largest of the utility’s four penalties relates to it not being operated and maintained by a chief operator certified by the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) for a facility classified as WWT III.
The utility had also been found out of compliance for the staffing certification issue in 2022 and 2023, a time when
the wastewater facility still had not been classified as required by the EOCP. It was also fined for staffing certification issues in 2024.
In response to staff training, the utility told B.C. officials that its manager is currently enrolled in the EOCP program and expected to be wastewater Level 1 certified by December 2025.
“The intention is to then proceed with further levels as required. This is part of our broader effort to ensure compliance and demonstrate that we are working on changing for the better,” Hemlock Utility Services wrote to the ministry in a submission for the penalty report.
The B.C. Ministry of Environment was not moved by the submission, however, and highlighted the fact that the ski resort’s system is a Level III facility, “which denotes a larger size and complexity,” the penalty report states. This means that facility staffing would still be out of compliance for some time until that higher level of certification is attained.
“Failure to comply with the operator certification operational requirement created, at a minimum, a risk of harm to
the environment or human health and safety,” wrote Kelly Mills, director of the Environmental Management Act
Over the course of 2023 and 2024, the utility also failed to monitor effluent for several contaminants, including fecal coliform bacteria, before discharging it into a creek that flows into a waterway known to support coho salmon, rainbow trout and steelhead. That contravention was found to have been repeated seven times.
The utility was also penalized for failing to install and maintain a flow meter, record monthly samples of effluent, and submit records to the province.
For more information, email editor@esemag.com
The utility told B.C. officials that its manager is expected to be wastewater Level 1 certified by December 2025. Credit: B.C. Natural Resource Compliance and Enforcement Database
UCalgary pilots Japanese wastewater technology to test winter resilience
By ES&E Staff
Anew pilot project through the University of Calgary will evaluate Jokaso wastewater treatment technology from Japanese company FujiClean to determine whether it can outperform septic tanks or lagoon systems in rural Canadian communities where cold weather could be an issue.
The Alberta Innovates-funded pilot launched in August of this year under a collaboration between UCalgary’s Advancing Canadian Water Assets (ACWA), research facility, which is embedded in the City of Calgary’s Pine Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, the Japan Sewage Works Agency, FujiClean, and LM Wastewater.
The project emerged through LM Wastewater founder Ken Matsuda’s first water treatment job in Asia, where he was focused on securing access to clean drinking water for those who need it. Growing up in British Columbia, he saw first-hand the challenges of sourcing clean drinking water in rural and Indigenous communities and wanted to be part of a solution.
The Jokaso system operates with the same biological processes used in municipal wastewater treatment. Wastewater moves through five chambers, where solids are broken down and disposed of, and the water is treated via filtration, clarification, and disinfection.
Credit: University of Calgary
What he learned was that he first had to think about the communities upstream, whose sewage was flowing into the rivers that would eventually reach another community. He saw treating that polluted water as a massive burden on downstream communities.
While helping to install small-scale wastewater treatment units in the Philippines, Matsuda wondered whether the FujiClean Jokaso system could solve similar problems in rural Canadian communities.
“What makes this unit ideal for rural communities is the compactness of it,” says Matsuda. “It’s like having a munici pal wastewater treatment facility packed into one 40-foot shipping container.”
The Jokaso operates with the same biological processes used in munici pal wastewater treatment. Wastewater moves through five chambers, where solids are broken down and disposed of, and the water is treated via filtra tion, clarification, and disinfection. The resulting effluent is clean enough to safely re-enter water sources.
“If the pilot is successful, the Jokaso unit could improve quality of life for small and remote communities, by pro viding access to simple technology that works better than existing systems,” says Christine O’Grady, executive director of ACWA. “It has the potential to advance best practices for source water protection and water treatment in Alberta and across Canada.”
explains. “If we were to go to a remote community or municipality to pilot this, we would bear that risk of it not working, and the community would have to bear that risk as well.”
Ryo Matsuda, project manager of the International Affairs Department for the Japan Sewage Works Agency, says working with the university “gives us a chance to learn from one of the top
teams in water and the wastewater sector,” and through the collaboration, “we can test and improve our technologies in a very different climate and environment, and exchange knowledge to strengthen Japan Sewage Works Agency’s capabilities.”
For more information, email editor@esemag.com
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When Matsuda initially approached FujiClean and the Japan Sewage Works Agency, Japan’s national wastewater treatment agency, about the potential in the Canadian market, their main concern was whether their system would work during cold winter conditions.
Matsuda began searching for a Canadian test bed for the unit, and ACWA had a facility with the infrastructure required. Small amounts of municipal wastewater will be diverted to the Jokaso unit for treatment, and then sampled and tested in ACWA’s labs. Then it will be sent back to the Pine Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility for treatment.
“If the Jokaso has any issues because of the cold, our wastewater will discharge into the municipal facility for treatment. It won’t go into the river,” Matsuda
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Understanding the role of thermowells for wastewater plant operation
By Parth Bosmia
Thermowells are critical yet often overlooked components. Serving as protective enclosures for temperature sensors, such as resistance temperature detector (RTD) and thermocouples, thermowells ensure accurate readings while shielding sensors from the harsh process environment. However, poor design or misapplication can lead to catastrophic failures, including toxic releases, fire hazards, and equipment damage.
A thermowell is a cylindrical, sealed tube that extends into a process stream and houses a temperature sensor. This isolation allows the sensor to be removed or replaced without disturbing the process or requiring depressurization. Typically installed in piping systems, tanks, or reactors, thermowells ensure the longevity and integrity of temperature measurement devices.
Thermowells are primarily used in anaerobic sludge digestion during the wastewater treatment process. Anaerobic digestion is a biological process where microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas and a nutrient-rich digestate. This process is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and the digester’s contents are corrosive and abrasive. Thermowells protect temperature sensors from the corrosive and abrasive environment inside the digester tanks.
Sometimes, chemical injection quills are used, and they behave like thermowells. If the proper calculation is not performed, the quills will likely be lost/fail inside the pipe.
Additionally, the condenser cooling water application, a type of industrial water usage, has a water velocity sufficiently high to damage the thermowells. Consequently, thermowell calculations must be performed before selecting the type and material of the thermowell.
The failure of a thermowell is not just an instrumentation issue, it is a process safety
A broken thermowell with a temperature sensor. In corrosive or high-temperature systems, upgrading material selection can prevent early failure.
hazard. Potential consequences include: Safety hazard: a rupture may result in fire, explosion, or toxic chemical release. Environmental risks: process fluid leakage into the environment.
Process disruption: shutdowns due to inaccurate readings or sensor damage. Material damage: high-pressure fluid jets can erode nearby equipment
Loss of life: particularly in high-temperature or hazardous fluid applications.
A well-known case of design oversight occurred at Japan’s Monju Nuclear Power Plant in 1995. A sodium leak caused by a thermowell failure led to a plant shutdown that lasted over 15 years.
Thermowells are available in a variety of materials tailored to the process environment. Material compatibility is essential for long-term performance. In corrosive or high-temperature systems, upgrading material selection can prevent early failure.
When fluid flows across the thermowell, vortex shedding occurs behind the stem. If the frequency of these vortices matches the natural frequency of the thermowell, resonance occurs. This can lead to vibrations that can cause fatigue failure.
When doing design calculations, it is important to gather input parameters, such as process temperature and pres-
sure, fluid density, viscosity and velocity, thermowell dimensions and the elasticity and density of materials.
BEST PRACTICES FOR INSTALLATION
• The tip of the thermowell should face the flow direction (especially in elbows or bends)
• Ensure test well accessibility for sensor maintenance
• Maintain minimum clearance of 100 mm from insulation and structure.
• Avoid proximity to obstructions (valves, tees) that can disrupt the flow profile.
LIMITATIONS AND DESIGN OVERSIGHTS
The use of computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis for critical applications is important. Even with adherence to standards, common design flaws occur. These include;
• Oversizing, which increases drag and lowers natural frequency
• Undersizing, which reduces strength and increases vibration risk
• Ignoring insulation thickness, which leads to incorrect U-length and wake frequency ratio.
CONCLUSION
Thermowells may seem like simple devices, but their failure can have severe consequences for personnel, the environment, and plant operations. A robust thermowell design involves not only selecting the right material and dimensions but also performing thorough wake frequency analysis in line with ASME standards. By understanding the mechanics behind vortex shedding, taper ratios, and U-length, engineers can ensure safe and reliable temperature measurement across all process conditions.
Parth Bosmia is with R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd. Email: pbosmia@ rvanderson.com
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W: www.aerzen.com/canada
CUSTOM DOUBLE CONTAINED VALVE TEE
Asahi/America’s double contained valves are designed to integrate with our double containment piping systems. The design ensures that even if the primary valve leaks, the containment pipe maintains system integrity. They are engineered to maintain full containment, even when installed as accessories or integrated components. Ideal for chemical applications where people, equipment, or the environment is at risk.
Asahi/America Inc.
T: 800-343-3618
E: asahi@asahi-america.com
W: www.asahi-america.com
CHEMICAL FEED FLOW METER
Accurately measure chemical feeds from 10–10,000 mL/min with plugand-play simplicity. Pre-calibrated for common chemicals, or easily customized via Blue-Central® software. Reliable, precise, and ready out of the box, the MS6 SONIC-PRO® ensures smooth operation for water and wastewater applications, with minimal setup.
Blue-White Industries
T: 714-893-8529
E: info@blue-white.com
W: www.blue-white.com
DIAPHRAGM METERING PUMP
Deliver precise chemical feed quietly and efficiently, even under high system pressures. Featuring an easy-to-read LCD interface, flexible input options, and durable DiaFlex® and Flex-A-Prene® diaphragms, the C2 CHEM-FEED® pump combines superior chemical resistance with reliable performance. This gives you complete control of your fluid management process.
Blue-White Industries
T: 714-893-8529
E: info@blue-white.com
W: www.blue-white.com
SUBMERSIBLE DRY PIT PUMPS
The Barnes envie3 series is where versatility meets performance. Available in both solids handling and chopper versions, these submersible dry pit pumps are outfitted with IE3 rated premium efficient motors, which utilize a closed loop cooling jacket, allowing for submersible and dry pit installations. The envie3 is available in a wide range of sizes, with high temperature and sensing package options available.
Crane Pumps & Systems
T: 937-778-8947 (USA)
E: cranepumps@cranepumps.com
W: www.cranepumps.com
SOLIDS HANDLING PUMPS
Crane Pumps & Systems is proud to introduce SyFlo, our newest innovation in solids handling technology. The SyFlo is a high-efficiency submersible solids handling solution, featuring an IE3 rated high efficiency air filed motor. These pumps are available with either a scroll or vortex impeller, designed for applications with heavy solids loading. Available in 3" and 4" models, 3 to 15HP.
Crane Pumps & Systems
T: 937-778-8947 (USA)
E: cranepumps@cranepumps.com
W: www.cranepumps.com
LIQUID ANALYSIS PANELS
Ensure precise and reliable liquid analysis with Endress+Hauser’s Liquid Analysis Panels. Designed for various applications, these panels offer easy installation, robust performance, and seamless integration with your existing systems. Enhance your process efficiency and data accuracy today!
Endress+Hauser Canada
T: 905-681-9292
W: www.ca.endress.com
CHEMICAL DAY TANK SCALE
The CHEM-SCALE™ from Force Flow allows operators to accurately monitor chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, polymer and fluoride when stored and fed from day tanks. Systems prevent over and underfeed conditions, and enables the documentation of amount fed. Available with Century™ hydraulic dial, advanced multi-channel Wizard 4000™, and other indicators.
Force Flow
T: 925-686-6700
E: info@forceflow.com, W: www.forceflowscales.com
CHLORINE EMERGENCY SHUTOFF
The Gemini™ Emergency Shutoff System adds a new level of safety to your gas chlorine feed system. Designed specifically for dual 150lb chlorine cylinder applications, the Gemini System, with its two Terminator™ actuators, stops a chlorine leak within seconds of detection by automatically closing the cylinder valves. The actuators are simply placed on top of the valves and protection begins. Halogen Valve Systems
T: 949-261-5030
W: www.halogenvalve.com
OGS/HYDRODYNAMIC SEPARATOR
The new Stormceptor® EF is an oil grit separator (OGS)/hydrodynamic separator that effectively targets sediment (TSS), free oils, gross pollutants and other pollutants that attach to particles, such as nutrients and metals. The Stormceptor EF has been verified through the ISO 14034 Environmental Management – Environmental Technology Verification (ETV).
Imbrium Systems
T: 800-565-4801
E: info@imbriumsystems.com
W: www.imbriumsystems.com
STORMWATER QUALITY TREATMENT
Inspection and maintenance are fundamental to the long-term performance of any stormwater quality treatment device. The Stormceptor EF/EFO design makes inspections and maintenance an easy and inexpensive process conducted at grade. Once serviced, the Stormceptor EF/EFO is functionally restored as designed, with full pollutant capture capacity. Learn more at: www.imbriumsystems.com
Imbrium Systems
T: 800-565-4801
E: info@imbriumsystems.com
W: www.imbriumsystems.com
VORTEX FLOW INSERTS
The IPEX Vortex Flow™ Insert (VFI) revolutionizes vertical sewer drops by eliminating odorous emissions and minimizing corrosion. With no moving parts and zero maintenance, VFIs offer significant cost savings for municipalities across North America.
IPEX
T: 866-473-9462
W: www.ipexna.com
EXPAND-IN-PLACE LINER
NovaForm™ offers a durable, cost-efficient solution for sewer and culvert rehabilitation. This styrene-free, expandin-place liner eliminates the need to capture and treat contaminated curing liquid. Made from engineered thermoplastic, it is installed using steam, with water as the only job-site discharge.
IPEX
T: 866-473-9462
W: www.ipexna.com
WATERTIGHT DOORS
HUBER, a proven German manufacturer, now provides watertight doors that allow safe access to tanks for construction and/ or maintenance. Doors can be provided as round or rectangular for installation onto existing concrete surfaces or cast-in-place in new concrete. They can handle heads up to 30 m and hold pressure in seating and unseating directions. HUBER’s watertight doors can greatly reduce construction and maintenance costs and dramatically improve safety/access.
Pro Aqua, Inc.
T: 647-923-8244
E: aron@proaquasales.com
W: www.proaquasales.com
HYPERBOLOID MIXERS
Invent Environment is the manufacturer of hyperboloid mixers which have revolutionized anoxic and swing zone mixing. Invent provides low-shear, efficient mixers with no submerged motors or gear boxes for easy access for maintenance. They have now released the Hyperclassic Mixer Evo 7 which has increased the number of motion fins and adjusted the geometry of the mixer to maximize mixer efficiency, reducing operation costs even further.
Pro Aqua, Inc.
T: 647-923-8244
E: aron@proaquasales.com
W: www.proaquasales.com
WET PIT, OPEN SUMP, OR DEEP WELL PUMPING
The Xylem VIT Short-Set Lineshaft Turbine Pump is a compact, multistage vertical turbine engineered for wet pits, open sumps, or shallow well pumping. With outstanding hydraulic efficiency and robust durability, it delivers dependable performance in demanding conditions. Installed easily and optimized for tight spaces, the VIT ensures reliable water conveyance with minimal footprint. They are built for longevity and precision. Summit Water
T: 519-843-4232 or 800-265-9355
E: sales@summitwater.ca
W: www.summitwater.ca
Saskatchewan Research Council and the Cowessess First Nation analyze a decade’s worth of renewable energy data
By Francois Biber
In 2006, the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) began supporting the Cowessess First Nation’s plan to determine the viability of building a wind farm by installing an anemometer tower near the proposed site to measure the wind resource.
“SRC initially conducted a wind resource assessment for Cowessess to gauge how much wind is in the area,” said Ryan Jansen, manager of SRC’s process development team, who has been involved in the project since the early days. “Originally Cowessess was interested in a large wind farm project, but were unable to proceed with their initial plan.”
SRC proposed an alternative renewable energy project that would be the first-ofits-kind in North America, combining wind power and battery backup, later known as a microgrid demonstration.
HARNESSING THE POWER OF PRAIRIE WIND
In 2013, SRC and the Cowessess First Nation demonstrated a new utility-scale wind-battery microgrid project. “It was the first utility-scale wind-battery system behind the power meter,” Jansen said.
The goal for the project was to demonstrate the reliability of renewable energy through this microgrid demonstration. Cowessess First Nation wanted a project that would enable them to enter into a power purchase agreement with SaskPower, and allow them to participate in the renewable sector. Power generated by the wind-battery system would be sold to SaskPower, generating revenue for the First Nation and spurring further Indigenous economic development.
“Harnessing the power of prairie wind was more than just a technological milestone, it was a step toward energy sovereignty and economic opportunity for our nation,” said Rebecca Acikahte, busi-
ness development manager, renewables at Cowessess Ventures Ltd. “This project demonstrated the reliability of renewable energy while paving the way for future Indigenous opportunities in the renewable sector.”
For SRC, this collaboration was a great opportunity to advance a research project leading into a business case for microgrid technology and its applications.
Instead of the plan for a wind farm, Cowessess and SRC moved ahead with a microgrid demonstration as it proved to be a more cost-effective and manageable project, according to Jansen. “We worked with Cowessess First Nation to envision a smaller scale microgrid that could be scaled up in the future,” he said.
The 800-kilowatt wind turbine stands 73 metres tall, with the diameter of the blades spanning 53 metres. “So altogether from the peak to the ground you’re looking at a structure over 100 metres tall,”
Jansen said. At the base of the towering turbine is a series of lithium-ion batteries with 400 kilowatts of power, and 744 kilowatt-hours of storage.
According to Jansen, power generated from coal and natural gas generation facilities can be quite consistent. However, wind energy is more volatile and a sudden drop in wind can be challenging for the grid to handle but there are ways to smooth out this volatility.
“Renewables can be volatile. Battery storage can really improve the predictability and reliability of these generation sources,” Jansen said. “The battery we installed was useful for smoothing volatility and improving predictability, and it’s been reliable and long lasting.”
The provincial grid is on an instantaneous supply and demand stream, so basically whatever power being generated has to be used at the same time. Jansen’s team determined that a wind
In 2018, SRC worked with Cowessess on a federal proposal to bolster the wind-battery project, adding 1,400 solar panels to produce another 500 kilowatts of power.
turbine with battery storage would be a reliable way to generate electricity. “This project was the first wind-battery system co-located behind the power meter and it’s been generating power since 2013,” Jansen said.
The microgrid produces approximately 175 megawatt-hours of energy each month, generating revenue for the First Nation through its agreement with SaskPower. As well, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by the equivalent of approximately 1,300 tonnes per year. The wind turbine alone generates enough electricity to meet the annual energy requirements of approximately 250 homes.
THE MICROGRID GETS A MAKEOVER
In 2018, SRC worked with Cowessess on a federal proposal to bolster the Cowessess wind-battery project, adding 1,400 solar panels, taking advantage of the sunny Saskatchewan skies to produce another 500 kilowatts of power and transforming this microgrid into a trifecta power generation station.
“This project has set the tone for Cowessess First Nation to achieve economic growth, energy sovereignty and environmental sustainability by generating revenue, reducing emissions and increasing control over its energy future,” Acikahte said. “The success of this initiative has also positioned the nation as a leader in Indigenous-led clean energy, paving the way for large-scale projects.”
Jansen and his team proved the effectiveness of a wind, solar and battery microgrid, demonstrating that a clear path to long-term, sustainable renewable energy doesn’t necessarily have a silver-bullet solution.
“There is no single technology that will bring us into the future of green energy. It has to be an ‘all-of-the-above’ solution, and right now I think Saskatchewan’s advantage does include wind and solar,” Jansen said.
“As we add more renewables like wind and solar to the grid, we will need the ability to manage their volatility,” Jansen suggested, “such as using energy storage and demand response programs that essentially tell consumers to reduce their demand at certain times.”
Barrie
Belleville
Collingwood
Mississauga
Kingston
The success of this initiative has positioned Cowessess First Nation as a leader in Indigenous-led clean energy, paving the way for large-scale projects.
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REMOTE MONITORING, TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Since the microgrid upgrades and the addition of solar panels, the relationship between SRC and Cowessess continues as SRC experts offer training and education to individuals to maintain the microgrid. This ensures the system can continue to supply SaskPower with clean, renewable power.
Building off the momentum of this successful microgrid demonstration, Jansen said, his team at SRC and Cowessess often provide tours to groups both within and outside Saskatchewan.
SRC also installed a sophisticated remote monitoring system at the microgrid site, where Jansen and his team can monitor the microgrid, collecting thousands of data points across the system, including the inverters from the solar arrays, the anemometer tower and the wind turbine, all accessible from SRC headquarters in Saskatoon.
“We can remote into the site through a virtual workstation that we can use to operate the system in case we need to turn batteries on or off or adjust setpoints,” Jansen said. “All that is done remotely, and all the data is stored within SRC, so it gets transmitted from site into SRC. We keep it as a long-term data repository so we can analyze the performance of the system.”
While this microgrid demonstration was the first-of-its-kind in 2018, Cowessess recognized the potential and opportunity with renewable energy and have embarked on two massive renewable projects on its own, including a 10-megawatt solar power generation project on Cowessess land adjacent to the wind-battery-solar project.
Cowessess recently completed a 200-megawatt wind project alongside SaskPower. The Bekevar Wind Proj-
ect, spanning over 20,000 acres located north of Moose Mountain Provincial Park, would generate enough energy to power 100,000 homes.
SRC’S INTEGRATED ENERGY SYSTEMS SERVICES
SRC’s smart-grid and microgrid solutions provide real and practical opportunities that help industries and communities transition to cleaner renewable sources of energy, while promoting energy autonomy and reliability. This also creates opportunities for alternative sources of revenue, training and knowledge-building with local communities.
The team also provides hybrid energy containers, which offer a customizable combination of conventional and renewable generation sources together with energy storage.
By incorporating technologies such as heat pumps, solar panels and wind, these systems are more efficient and environmentally sustainable than traditional diesel generators. They have several applications, including providing power for industrial sites, off-grid communities and disaster-affected areas.
Francois Biber is with the Saskatchewan Research Council.
Finally, Your Solution to Solids Separation.
Now the industry’s original Meva step screen has been re-engineered for today’s demanding applications and high removal requirements. The new MevaScreen RSM Monster is a self-cleaning, progressivestep fine screen and solids separation system delivering optimized performance in many of the most difficult operating conditions.
Specifically designed for both municipal sewage and industrial water treatment facilities with high screening loads in channel installations with widths up to 1.98 meters, the MevaScreen RSM Monster’s unique design provides a Debris Removal Rate: > 80%, delivering easy maintenance and long product life. The patented pulse operation results in enhanced solids removal and fewer running hours, reducing energy consumption and decreasing mechanical wear.
To discover how the revolutionary MevaScreen® RSM Monster can help you, contact ACG-Envirocan, today.
EFO
The most complete oil-grit separator on the market
• High flow sediment removal
• Scour prevention of collected sediment during high flow
• 99% oil/hydrocarbon retention during high flow
• Canada ISO 14034 Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)
Imbrium® has been synonymous with stormwater treatment in Canada for decades. With the Stormceptor® EF oil-grit separator and the Jellyfish® Filter membrane filtration system, Imbrium® provides engineers and regulators options for all levels of stormwater treatment.
Filter
The highest level of sediment and nutrient removal using membrane filtration
• Removal of 90% TSS and 77% TP
• Low driving head of 457mm
• Lightweight, rinseable and reusable cartridges
• Canada ISO 14034 Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)
