Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine | December 2021

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CONTENTS

December 2021 • Vol. 34 No. 6 • ISSN-0835-605X

Editor and Publisher STEVE DAVEY steve@esemag.com

Managing Editor PETER DAVEY peter@esemag.com

Sales Director PENNY DAVEY penny@esemag.com ales Representative DENISE SIMPSON S denise@esemag.com

Accounting SANDRA DAVEY sandra@esemag.com Design & Production MIGUEL AGAWIN miguel@esemag.com

Circulation BRIAN GILLETT ese@mysubscription.ca

TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD

Archis Ambulkar OCT Water Quality Academy

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 TMIG The Municipal Infrastructure Group 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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32

46 FEATURES 6 8 10 12 14 15 16 17 22 44 46 48 50 54 62

Appreciating the value of face-to-face networking opportunities Canada ready to unleash the power of biogas Study finds rubber tire chemicals impacting river through urban runoff Canada makes new environmental pledges at climate conference World’s largest wastewater energy transfer project underway for Toronto hospital 70 Canadian groups sign plastics pact to pivot towards circular economy Microtunnelling used for twin culvert replacement project Examine the fate and transport of groundwater contaminants before settling legally Small town chooses prefabricated wastewater lift stations Dauphin, MB meets its cold weather ammonia level requirements Using a camera nozzle and chain cutter to efficiently handle blocked sewers The passion to save our water ecosystems can positively impact those around us Using hydrogeological flow modelling to identify sources of hepatitis outbreaks District metered areas: Why accuracy matters Red Deer’s new residuals management facility will reduce environmental impacts CONSULTANTS’ FORUM

24 26 29 30 32 34

Funding innovation in engineering is critical to tackling climate change Choosing right delivery model more important than ever for large projects Ontario bill targets removal of licensure barriers for immigrant engineers Embedding sustainability as part of your company’s DNA to drive growth Capturing the value of converting records to digital formats – Cover Story The importance of the author-verifier relationship in project management OPERATORS’ FORUM

36 38 39 40 42

How to diagnose and repair automatic control valves Incidents of cyber attacks on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic Using augmented reality tools to inspect wastewater plants Using air-operated double-diaphragm pumps to optimize filter press operation Remote gas flow monitoring in a biodigester

DEPARTMENTS

56 Product Showcase 59 Environmental News 59 Professional Cards 61 Ad Index www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

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Environmental Science and Engineering Magazine

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EDITORIAL COMMENT BY STEVE DAVEY

Appreciating the value of face-to-face networking opportunities

I

was one of an estimated 150 Canadians who attended the Water Environment Federation’s WEFTEC event, held in Chicago this past October. With the Canada/U.S. land border closed to personal and non-essential travel, ES&E’s usual bi-annual road trip to Chicago to exhibit at the event was replaced by air travel.

Despite my trepidation due to the ongoing pandemic and the new safety protocols when flying, the experience was uneventful. The only difference I really noticed was that with masks on and perhaps the anxiety others felt, the normal friendly passenger-to-passenger preflight banter didn’t happen.

Upon landing in Chicago, I was relieved to find that the tense political situations we Canadians have witnessed on the news this year were not in evidence. All seemed as it was in 2019, when I was there last. All I sensed, was gratitude that events like WEFTEC were back in town.

While the 2021 tradeshow and attendance were about half of what they were for 2019, there was a sense of comfort that the event signaled the return of live events after a two-year hiatus. Most exhibitors I spoke with felt it was important to attend, as those walking the show were involved in projects and needed to learn about new equipment, technologies, etc.

Laura Schwartz gave the keynote address during the opening general session. Schwartz began her professional career in 1993 as the youngest female presidential appointee in history, serving as the White House Director of Events for the Clinton Administration. Rather fittingly, given the return to in-person networking, Schwartz is the author of “Eat, Drink, and Succeed: Climb Your Way to the Top Using the Networking Power of Social Events”.

A very dynamic speaker, Schwartz’s keynote was designed to help people network face-to-face again, build relationships, and grow throughout their personal and professional lives.

Back at home, I was honoured to be appointed SecretaryTreasurer of the Ontario Pollution Control Equipment 6 | December 2021

Association (OPCEA) earlier this year. Many of our members exhibited at the 2021 Water Environment Association of Ontario conference and OPCEA tradeshow in London this November.

As was the case for WEFTEC, overall attendance was about half what it was pre-pandemic in 2019. However, the event organizers did a tremendous job in providing networking opportunities that kept attendees safe and comfortable throughout the three-day event.

This year’s keynote address was given by Barry Orr, sewer outreach and control inspector for the City of London. Orr is the author of many articles published in ES&E Magazine and a co-author of the Ryerson University report: “Defining ‘Flushability’ for Sewer Use”. He is also perhaps one of the most recognizable sewer professionals featured in Canadian media, including the CBC, CTV, and Global, discussing ‘flushable wipes’, FOGs and fatbergs.

A testimony to the impact of Orr’s outreach efforts can be read in this issue on page 48. The article “The passion to save our water ecosystem can positively impact those around us” is written by Charlotte White, a Grade 12 student from Markham, Ontario, and I encourage you to read this uplifting story.

Having recently attended two in-person industry events, I can truly appreciate the value of being in the physical presence of colleagues, friends and industry leaders.

Virtual meetings and video calls have been a crucial lifeline during this pandemic, keeping families, friends and colleagues connected. But, especially for new professionals, the opportunities that in-person events provide to develop relationships and expand knowledge is invaluable.

Steve Davey is the editor and publisher of ES&E Magazine. Please email any comments you may have to steve@esemag.com Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

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BIOGAS

Canada ready to unleash the power of biogas

By Matt Hale

C Canada has 279 operating biogas projects capturing methane from agricultural and community waste and turning it into clean electricity and renewable natural gas. Credit: animaflora pic stock, stock.adobe.com

8 | December 2021

anada saw a 50% increase in operational biogas capacity over the last decade, which is great news for both the economy and the environment, as is the strong outlook for future development contained in the latest report from the Canadian Biogas Association (CBA).

The Canadian 2020 Biogas Market Report revealed that the country now has 279 operating biogas projects capturing methane from agricultural and community waste and turning it into clean electricity and renewable natural gas (RNG).

In fact, anaerobic digestion now produces as much energy as nine large hydro-electric dams or 300,000 m2 of solar panels. In 2020, it generated 196 megawatts of electricity and 260 million m3 of biogas for heating or direct use as biomethane fuel.

Current anaerobic digestion biogas plants are a mixture of agricultural units, industrial digesters, plants at wastewater treatment facilities, and landfill gas capture systems. The report points out that these plants create numerous additional advantages in addition to greenhouse gas (GHG) and climate change benefits.

These include the stabilization of nutrients and production of sustainable biofertilizer, and improvements to soil, air, and water quality, as well as economic benefits.

When it comes to the environment, the report points out that biogas reduces GHG emissions in three ways. Firstly, it captures methane, (a GHG with twenty-one times more warming potential than carbon dioxide) which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

Secondly the energy produced by anaerobic digestion displaces energy generated by fossil fuels, further reducing GHG emissions.

Finally, the process produces digestate which is a valuable, renewable organic fertilizer, and where this is used it displaces the use of synthetic fertilizers, which further reduces secondary GHG emissions.

The report also reveals that just 13% of

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

Canada’s easily accessible biogas potential is being used. While it may be disappointing that “the vast majority of Canada’s biogas potential remains untapped,” the scope of this potential, which is estimated at 155 PJ of energy (equivalent to 100 large hydro dams) is impressive and shows the scope for growth in the industry.

According to the report, the sector has the opportunity to bring more than eight times more biogas energy online.

The biggest potential growth comes from the agricultural and landfill sectors, although there is still additional feedstock capacity in other areas, such as wastewater treatment and industrial anaerobic digestion.

Landfill sites account for the majority of the country’s currently installed biogas capacity, and this sector has plenty of growth potential left. Landfill gas is also a major opportunity, accounting for 21% of Canada’s biogas feedstock.

Wastewater treatment, source-separated organics and pulp mills also present important opportunities.

But, it is agricultural anaerobic digestion that has the biggest role to play in making renewable natural gas a mainstream source of renewable energy in Canada. The report stresses that crop residues and animal manure make up two-thirds of Canada’s easily-available biogas resources.

The report estimates that the agricultural sector alone could provide more than 100 PJ of energy, or two-thirds of the total energy potential of anaerobic digestion in Canada.

Not surprisingly, most of this potential capacity lies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario (which is currently home to 56% of the country’s operational biogas plants), together with parts of southern Manitoba and Quebec.

There are already 27 further biogas plants in development across the country, with federal and regional policy developments such as those seen in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario increasing demand for RNG. Such policies include carbon pricing, financial support, provincial mandates for renewable natural gas, and the development of Clean Fuel Standards. However, despite such positive developments, policy uncertainty is identified as the www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

The Digestate Concentration System (DCS) from HRS reduces the volume of digestate produced from anaerobic digestion, increasing the nutrient content and making it easier to handle.

highest risk factor in terms of barriers to investment and development in the biogas sector, closely followed by concerns over the availability of feedstocks and the reliability of supply.

“Shifting priorities impact project financing, risk tolerances and developer commitments,” say the report’s authors.

“A dynamic and uncertain policy/regulatory landscape makes it difficult for biogas/RNG producers to make the necessary investments.

Strong policy signals or policy framework such as a biogas/RNG strategy or mandate are essential to creating the right environment for adoption at the federal, provincial and municipal level.”

Overall, the report is extremely positive about the next decade, concluding that: “Most signals point to the 2020s being an even more impressive decade for Canada’s biogas growth. In 2030, we could be looking back on a decade that saw Canada multiply its biogas output exponentially.”

However, if the country is to maximize the benefits of this enormous potential, it is important that both new and existing biogas plants operate at the highest levels of efficiency.

Not only must biogas production at each and every facility be maximized, but the conversion of the biogas resource into usable energy also needs to be carried out efficiently, whether in terms of direct use of RNG as a fuel, through heat generation, or through electricity gener-

ation (either alone or using combined heat and power (CHP) technologies).

Maximizing heat transfer is crucial, as is using forms of digester heating that are easy to maintain and upgrade, such as external heating systems.

Maximizing the nutrient potential of the biofertilizer that results from anaerobic digestion and providing it to farmers in an easy to handle, efficient and safe format is also vital if potential markets for this valuable resource are to meet their full potential.

HRS Heat Exchangers produce a range of systems that are specifically designed to improve the efficiency of anaerobic digestion plant operation, add value to digestate production (which is a valuable, renewable and low-carbon organic fertilizer and soil conditioner) and prolong the life of anaerobic digestion plant components.

HRS also manufactures a range of heat exchangers for use in biogas production, including the HRS Unicus Series of scraped surface heat exchangers for use in thermal hydrolysis to increase biogas production; the G Series for exhaust gas cooling and heat recapture; and the DTI Series for feedstock and digestate heating.

Matt Hale is with HRS Heat Exchangers. For more information, email: info@us.hrs-he.com, or visit: www.hrs-heatexchangers.com

December 2021 | 9

STORMWATER

USask study finds rubber tire chemicals impacting river through urban runoff

R

esearchers at the University of Saskatchewan’s School of Environment and Sustainability say they’ve undertaken the first study of its kind in Canada to determine whether chemicals from rubber tires are entering waterways and endangering aquatic wildlife.

The City of Saskatoon and USask collaborated on the study to examine chemicals that may leach from rubber tires, enter the stormwater system, then flow into the South Saskatchewan River. In particular, the study observed these issues within a cold-climate Canadian city.

The study revealed high readings of tire rubber-related compounds in Saskatoon’s runoff, explains USask assistant professor Markus Brinkmann. “Chemicals from rubber tire leachate have been associated with mortalities in Coho salmon in Washington State. However, we currently don’t know the effects on wildlife in our region.”

Researchers in the Pacific Northwest have been studying why, for decades, as many as 90% of salmon would die when migrating through urban streams in an attempt to spawn in the Seattle, Washington area. The scientists spent long

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A recent Canadian study revealed high readings of tire rubber-related compounds in Saskatoon’s runoff. Credit: bilanol, stock.adobe.com

analysis found four bicyclic amines associated with tire rubber manufacturing and present in tire rubber leachate.

Russ Munro, director of Saskatoon Water, said further research is required to better understand the factors driving the findings. “This is a great example of why continued research and partnerships with institutions like the University of Saskatchewan are so important,” said Munro. “Saskatoon Water operates within the guidelines set out by the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and we’ll work with them to determine what next steps should be.”

The USask team has submitted a grant application to dig deeper into the toxicity of the compounds on fish and aquatic organisms in the South Saskatchewan River. Another joint application from USask and the city will focus on detection of the compounds.

Saskatoon participates in the Yellow Fish Road Program every year to educate residents about the impact communities can have on water runoff.

hours isolating and testing molecules from some 2,000 chemicals in the tirewear particles to identify whether a certain contaminant or combination of contaminants was particularly harmful.

They narrowed it down to 6PPD-quinone, which, during testing, killed salmon within five hours of exposure to concentrations as low as 0.8 micrograms per litre.

In Canada, the new findings are from samples taken from snow facilities, snowmelt puddles, and about a dozen outfall sites along the South Saskatchewan River Report by ES&E staff. Email: within the city in 2019 and 2020. editor@esemag.com Beyond 6PPD-quinone, Saskatoon

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CLIMATE CHANGE

Canada makes new environmental pledges at climate conference

D

uring the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Scotland, Canada made several key environmental commitments, including the start of climate financing for poorer countries, and the end of thermal coal exports.

The COP26 summit, which spanned nearly two weeks, brought together countries that want to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

For Canada, the summit may result in it becoming the first major oil-producing country to move towards capping and reducing pollution from the oil and gas sector to net-zero by 2050. As the fourth largest producer and third largest exporter of oil in the world, the oil and gas sector is the largest contributor to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 25% of total emissions.

To achieve Canada’s goal of net-zero by 2050, the federal government will set five-year targets and will ensure that the sector makes a meaningful contribution to meeting Canada’s

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Canada is working towards ending exports of thermal coal by no later than 2030, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Credit: fotosr52, stock.adobe.com

2030 climate goals. The government is also seeking the advice of the Net-Zero Advisory Body on how best to move forward on its approach.

In the same vein, Canada, alongside other major economies such as the U.S., U.K. and 21 other countries, will further prioritize support for clean technology and end new direct public support for the international unabated fossil fuel sector by the end of 2022.

Canada is also working towards ending exports of thermal coal by no later than 2030, announced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who also made clear he wanted to accelerate the phasing out of conventional coal-fired electricity, which will cut carbon pollution by nearly 13 million tonnes in 2030.

“Climate action can’t wait,” announced Trudeau. “Since 2015, Canada has been a committed partner in the fight against climate change, and as we move to a net-zero future, we will continue to do our part to cut pollution and build a cleaner future for everyone,” he added.

Trudeau also announced investments of more than $185 million to support coal workers and their communities through the transition to cleaner energy.

At the summit, at least 23 countries have made new commitments to phase out coal power, including five of the world’s top 20 coal power-using countries.

Minister of Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, also announced that Canada wants to ensure it is helping developing countries hardest hit by the impacts of climate change, and live up to the goal of delivering $100 billion in climate finance from developed countries, despite already missing the 2020 funding target.

A new joint delivery plan with Germany provides clarity on when and how developed countries will meet the $100-billion annual climate finance goal through 2025.

“While more work needs to be done,” announced Wilkinson, “I hope that we can instill confidence and trust that developed countries will deliver on their promises to the developing world and that Canada will continue to be a constructive player to this end internationally.”

Report by ES&E staff. Email: editor@esemag.com Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

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WASTEWATER

World’s largest wastewater energy transfer project underway for Toronto hospital

W

ith a major investment now secured through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, approximately 90% of heating and cooling requirements for the Toronto Western Hospital will soon come from what may be the world’s largest raw wastewater energy transfer project.

The $42.9-million retrofit project, which is now underway, will use the Huber ThermWin System and Noventa IP to transfer thermal energy to and from wastewater flowing in the mid-Toronto interceptor sewer to provide low-carbon heating and cooling to the hospital.

Delivered by Noventa Energy Partners, the new system will supply 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours of low-carbon energy from raw wastewater to the hospital over the next 30 years, project officials said. The project will also reduce the hospital’s carbon dioxide emissions by 250,000 tonnes.

“Financial institutions have a critical role to play in financing the transition to a low-carbon future. It will take many tools to reach net-zero and public and private collaboration will be crucial,” announced Vince Gasparro, VanCity Community Investment Bank’s managing director of corporate development and clean energy finance.

VanCity is investing $15.3 million in the project, while the Canada Infrastructure Bank has committed up to $19.3 million in subordinated debt for the build. The project’s equity partners include Noventa and Enbridge Gas, with the University Health Network making a capital contribution. The Government of Canada is also providing a grant under Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund.

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The $42.9-million retrofit project will use the Huber ThermWin System. Credit: Huber SE The new system will supply 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours of lowcarbon energy from raw wastewater to the hospital over the next 30 years.

Credit: Canada Infrastructure Bank

wastewater heat recovery as based on the principle that actual heat exchange as well as all other necessary process steps do not take place inside the sewer but outside or in above ground installations.

According to Noventa, the adaptability of the Huber ThermWin system allowed developers to work with the City of Toronto to design a large plant below the city street to house the self-cleaning Huber RoWin heat exchangers and a large wet well around an existing vortex chamber to house the Huber RoK4 XL units that sieve the wastewater.

Ryerson University will be working closely with Noventa and the University Health Network to conduct ongoing research, surveillance and wastewater sampling on the raw wastewater energy transfer project.

“This new wastewater project in Toronto is a great initiative that focuses on the need to address climate change in our everyday lives,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory. “My hope is that the success of this project will see us implementing similar technologies and initiatives across the city as we continue to meet our climate change goals.”

Report by ES&E staff. Email: editor@esemag.com

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

PLASTIC

70 Canadian groups sign plastics pact to pivot towards circular economy

S

ome 70 organizations have signed onto a pact that offers a new roadmap towards plastic reduction and the creation of a circular economy in Canada by 2035.

Orchestrated through the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global Plastics Pact Network, and under an independent initiative of The Natural Step Canada, the roadmap notes that just 12% of plastic packaging is estimated to have been recycled in 2019.

“Plastic is not waste,” says Paulina Leung, chief sustainability officer at Emterra Group, a waste management company that signed onto the pact. “It is about time we recognized its value. Canadian companies have the ability and resources to change the way plastic is created and used, and this is our starting point.”

Plastics are high performing, lightweight and low cost, acknowledges the Canada Plastics Pact (CPP) that the groups have signed onto. From the grocery store to the office to the hospital emergency ward, from juice containers to N95 masks, plastic products and plastic packaging enable and enrich modern day living.

Others that have signed onto the pact include the City of Toronto, the Recycling Council of British Columbia, Canadian Tire Corporation, the Canadian Bottled Water Association, and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association.

Prior to the overall goal of a circular economy, where there is a system of closed loops in which raw materials, components and products lose their value as little as possible, the roadmap also sets out a number of targets for 2025.

The businesses, city governments, non-governmental organizations and other key actors in the local plastics value chain are looking to, first, define a list of plastic packaging to be designated as “problematic” or “unnecessary” and take measures to eliminate them.

Then, the focus would shift towards

A new waste reduction roadmap notes that just 12% of plastic packaging is estimated to have been recycled in 2019. Credit: gavran333, stock.adobe.com

ensuring that all plastic packaging is designed to be reusable, recyclable or compostable.

Lastly, the plan aims to have 50% of that plastic packaging be recycled or composted, with a minimum of 30% recycled content across all plastic packaging.

The roadmap states that other work needs to be done too. It wants to use data

to improve the whole system, creating standard definitions and measurement practices, while working with municipalities to standardize a waste and recycling composition audit methodology.

Report by ES&E staff. Email: editor@esemag.com

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STORMWATER

Microtunnelling used for twin culvert replacement project

By Nicholas MacEachern

H

arbourside Engineering Consultants (HEC) was retained by Construction Demathieu and Bard Inc. (CDB) to develop the structural design and temporary construction work designs required for the Calamity Creek Culvert Replacement Project, just north of New Liskeard, Ontario.

The purpose of the project was to replace and decommission an existing cast-in-place reinforced concrete, single cell box culvert having a cross section of approximately 3.05 m wide x 2.45 m high and running 270 m long.

The existing structure was situated up to 8 m below the grade of the roadway, which added to the project’s challenges. The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) project documents specified twin 2.1 m inside diameter (I.D.) pipe culverts to meet the predetermined hydraulic capacity requirements.

The MTO contract also required that the project be completed without causing significant disruptions to the traffic along Highway 11.

Forterra Pipe & Precast Ltd. recommended that the concrete microtunnelling pipe be produced using the “drycast” process, which allowed for higher production rates compared to the specified “wetcast” process.

The pipe segments were designed with a typical microtunnelling joint comprised of a 13 mm thick galvanized steel ring. In addition to the steel endring, the joint also featured a confined tapered profile gasket that provides a hydrostatic capacity of 30 psi. Forterra’s engineering team provided the structural designs for the pipe, which were reviewed and accepted by Harbourside Engineering and the MTO. The 2.1 m microtunnelling pipe also needed to meet several quality assurance and certification standards, including the requirements of the Canadian Precast Concrete Quality Assurance (CPCQA) certification program.

16 | December 2021

Aerial view of the Calamity Creek Culvert Replacement Project.

Pipe segments were also assessed using the requirements of the D-Load test and hydrostatic test, which were performed by Forterra at their manufacturing facility. The D-Load (or Three Edge Bearing test – 3EB) is a physical test used to ensure the pipe will provide the required structural capacity.

CRS Tunnelling Inc. was retained for this project and chose an earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine (EPBTBM) to complete the work. It allowed for soft, wet, or unstable ground to be tunnelled safely with speed. This EPBTBM was equipped with face control doors and chamber access in case the crew needed to go into the cutting head chamber for maintenance or inspection. The latter proved important as it hit a major underground obstacle of wood debris during the first drive.

The twin pipe culverts were installed in two drives. Each drive would run the entire 270 m length. As mentioned

above, the project did encounter a delay during the first drive. This resulted in the second drive occurring during the winter months, with some temperatures hitting as low as -40°C. Both the concrete microtunnelling pipe and the EPBTBM continued to operate throughout these conditions.

The second drive broke through the receiving shaft on December 12, 2019.

The project, which included the decommissioning of the existing culvert was completed in October 2020.

Reprinted from the Canadian Concrete Pipe and Precast Journal, Fall 2021.

Nicholas MacEachern is with Harbourside Engineering Consultants. Email: nmaceachern@harboursideengineering.ca For more information, visit: www.forterra.com

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

GROUNDWATER

examine THe fate and transport of groundwater contaminants before settling legally

By Fatemeh Vakili and Michael Sklash

W

hen it comes to the assessment and remediation of impacted groundwater, common questions are “who is responsible?” and “who is going to pay?”. In some cases, the responsible party is known, and the focus can turn to questions of risk. How long will it take for the contamination to reach a water supply well or a surface water body? Will the groundwater contamination adversely affect indoor air quality or impact utilities?

In other cases, determining the responsible party is difficult. For example, when you have multiple owners of a business over time, multiple poten-

tial sources in close proximity, or complex subsurface conditions, there may be some uncertainty about when and where the release occurred. In these cases, it is important to know the history of the site, groundwater flow conditions, and how contaminants move and what processes affect their concentrations.

Groundwater contamination frequently originates from surface or near-surface releases of chemicals or waste fluids, such as from underground storage tanks or pipes, spills, and landfills.

When a contaminant release occurs, the contaminant moves downward through the subsurface soil or rock under gravity.

Spread of the contaminant into the subsurface from a release depends on many factors, including: the nature of the release (amount, duration, nature

of the chemical, the subsurface geology, preferred pathways, and the depth to the water table). The water table is the top of the saturated zone where the pores in the soil or rock are filled with water.

Other factors to consider include: • Is the release a miscible or immiscible chemical (i.e., does it readily mix with water)? Chemicals such as chloride from landfills and road salt, and nitrate from agriculture, are miscible in water.

• If immiscible, is the release a chemical that is less dense than water (a “light nonaqueous phase liquid” or “LNAPL” such as gasoline or oil) or denser than water (a “dense nonaqueous phase liquid” or “DNAPL” such as trichloroethene [TCE])?

• Was the release large enough to continued overleaf…

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0

GROUNDWATER

20

40

60

Distance (m)

Concentration migrate through the unsaturated zone High Low (where the pores are not full of water) and reach the water table? Or will infiltration of precipitation gradually disFigure 1: Schematic of a contaminant plume growth with time solve the trapped chemical and transport it to the water table in solution?

• Is the subsurface geology conducive to rapid vertical movement of chemicals 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 (such as sandy soil) or does the subsur0 20 40 60 80 100 120 face geology inhibit vertical infiltration Distance (m) Distance (m) from a release (such as clayey soil)?

• Is the subsurface geology above the Figure 1: Schematic of a contaminant plume growth with time. water table complicated, such that the Concentration Concentration contaminant is forced to migrate laterHigh Low High Low ally before reaching the water table?

• Are there preferred pathways that Figure 1: Schematic of a contaminant plume growth with time complicate contaminant movement Figure 1: Schematic of a contaminant plume growth with time such as fractures in clayey soils or subsurface infrastructure such as sewers, old water wells, or exploration wells?

CONTAMINANT MASS TRANSPORT MECHANISMS Contaminant mass spreads through groundwater due to advection, diffusion, and mechanical dispersion.

Advection is mass transport through flowing groundwater in which the direction and rate of mass transport is due to groundwater movement. For example, if the groundwater velocity is 50 m/year to the south, a conservative contaminant, such as chloride from road salt, will also move at 50 m/year to the south. Advection is important in permeable soils such as sand and gravel and permeable rocks such as fractured limestone.

Diffusion occurs due to a chemical concentration gradient. The contaminant moves from high concentration areas to low concentration areas. Diffusion is only important in low permeability soils such as clay and low permeability rocks such as massive limestone and even then, transport distances due to diffusion are very limited.

Nevertheless, diffusion results in stored contaminant in low permeability soils and rock that is a challenge to remediate. Diffusion can cause remediation to take longer than expected, as permeable materials clean up relatively quickly and then the diffusive transport direction (concentration gradient) reverses and contaminants move back from the low permeability material into the permeable material.

18 | December 2021

Figure 2: Schematic of a groundwater divide.

Mechanical dispersion is the spreading of a contaminant from the release point in the groundwater to form a contaminant plume. Mechanical dispersion is due to the complex pathways that groundwater moves through in a porous geologic material. Mechanical dispersion causes lateral spreading of contaminants both parallel to (longitudinal dispersion), and perpendicular to (transverse dispersion) the groundwater flow path.

Figure 1 is a schematic figure showing growth of a contaminant plume with time from a continuous source. The plume increases in length and width with time and decreases in contaminant concentration with distance due to mechanical dispersion.

THINKING ABOUT GROUNDWATER FLOW Groundwater moves from areas of high hydraulic head to areas of low hydraulic head. In order to determine groundwater flow direction, we need

to install at least three monitoring wells that are arranged in a triangle and must be screened in (open to) the same aquifer at about the same depth.

Then, we determine the groundwater elevation in each well. In the next step, we create a groundwater contour map by interpolating groundwater elevations between the three wells and connecting the points of equal elevation. Finally, we determine groundwater flow direction, which is perpendicular to the contour lines.

The interpretation of groundwater flow direction becomes more complex in the areas where groundwater divides are present.(Figure 2) Groundwater divides are linear features in a groundwater flow map from which groundwater moves in two different directions and groundwater and its contaminant load cannot cross. An analogy is the Rocky Mountains, whereby surface water either flows to the east or west, but cannot cross them. continued overleaf…

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

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GROUNDWATER We were involved in a remediation project in Ontario that involved an overfill gasoline release that was well documented. However, during remediation, the extent of the release appeared to be much larger than anticipated. The underlying soil and aquifer were sandy and the resultant contaminant plume apparently spread beneath the adjacent property.

There were gasoline odours in a city sewer that crossed our client’s property.

The regulator asked our client to follow the plume onto the adjacent property, completely delineate the plume, and find the source of the gasoline odours.

We monitored the groundwater flow direction using the triangulation method noted above. However, we monitored groundwater elevations continuously over a one-year period using data loggers and found two unusual features on the resultant groundwater flow maps. First, our data indicated that the groundwater flow directions changed seasonally (by about 180 degrees) due to changes in the adjacent lake level and leakage into the sewer.

Second, we found that there was a groundwater divide between our client’s property and the adjacent property, which meant that groundwater and its contaminant load could not move between the two properties. Third, although not a groundwater flow issue, we noticed on a fire insurance map that there was an old underground storage tank on the adjacent property.

Subsequently, our client was absolved of the responsibility to clean up the adjacent property largely based on the detailed analysis of groundwater flow direction.

THINKING ABOUT FATE AND TRANSPORT Some contaminants, such as organic chemicals (e.g., gasoline and trichloroethylene) are affected by processes that “retard” (slow down) their transport. These chemicals adsorb to clay surfaces or organic carbon in the soil and the degree of retardation is related to the soil conditions and the contaminant properties. Retardation can be important in assigning responsibil-

ity for releases and in remediation.

We were involved in a litigation project that involved releases of gasoline over time from underground storage tanks (USTs) that caused both an LNAPL and groundwater plume (BTEX – benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes). The underlying soil and aquifer were sandy and the LNAPL plume and groundwater plume spread beneath an adjacent neighbourhood due to advection and mechanical dispersion.

Ownership of the gas station had changed hands over time and both owners had documented releases. Who was responsible for the plumes beneath the neighbourhood? An expert for the most recent owner claimed little responsibility because a gasoline additive exclusive to the most recent owner could not be found in the plumes.

However, the literature indicated that the exclusive additive is severely retarded in groundwater and as we calculated, would never show up beneath the neighbourhood even though contaminants

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Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

such as BTEX would. The judge ruled largely in favour of the first owner due to this and other considerations.

Microorganisms in the soil and groundwater can break down certain contaminants into less harmful chemicals (biodegradation). Some minerals in the soil also react chemically with contaminants in groundwater and degrade them.

In some situations, where contaminant plumes are close to the surface, volatilization of contaminants into the air occurs.

Knowledge of these processes is necessary to estimate contaminant transport rate and responsibility. Biodegradation can be important in assigning responsibility for releases and in remediation.

For example, we were involved in another legal proceeding in Canada that involved release(s) of a solvent (TCE) that formed a TCE plume in groundwater. It may have spread due to advection and mechanical dispersion beneath two properties and a busy road that separated them. The soil was thin, the underlying bedrock was fractured, and the

water table was in the fractured bedrock.

The upgradient property had known TCE use and impact. The downgradient property had only anecdotal documentation of TCE use but had impacted groundwater. Consultants for the known user had investigated groundwater conditions on both sides of the road and had data that indicated there were two separate sources. However, the regulator’s position was that in this fractured bedrock environment, one could not be sure all of the pathways (fractures) had been investigated.

We used two high-tech, high-resolution techniques to determine if there were two sources of TCE, or not. First, we used a grid of passive soil gas collectors to examine the distribution of TCE contamination beneath both properties and the road. This approach demonstrated two distinct source areas, one on each side of the road. Second, we examined the biodegradation trends in the TCE plume using compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA).

The CSIA approach can detect changes in the isotopic composition of the TCE as it biodegrades when it moves from the source. The CSIA data also indicated two distinct source areas, one on each side of the road. These data assisted the attorney in resolving the case.

CONCLUSIONS Evaluating contaminant fate and transport in groundwater is a common problem for property owners and businesses and responsibility may only be settled through the legal system. To reach a scientifically defensible position, it is important to thoroughly understand the site history, groundwater flow conditions, and contaminant fate and transport processes.

Sometimes advanced tools are required to reach that defensible conclusion.

Fatemeh Vakili and Michael Sklash are with Dragun Corporation.

Email: fvakili@dragun.com, msklash@dragun.com, or visit: www.dragun.ca

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WASTEWATER

Small town chooses prefabricated wastewater lift stations

S

ituated in the heart of Saskatchewan’s wheat belt along the Trans-Canada Highway, the town of Herbert is home to nearly 900 residents. The predominately residential community serves as a service centre for the surrounding agricultural area.

For years, the town relied on two aging lift stations to transport wastewater to its treatment plant, but by 2017, the lift stations were physically deteriorating and lacked modern monitoring and control capabilities.

CHALLENGE The town of Herbert hired Stantec Consulting to identify the best replacement solution. However, the town no longer had the design parameters for the existing stations, which originally went online sometime in the late 20th century.

“Because there was very little information to go off of, it made it very difficult for the engineer to narrow down the amount of flow into these stations,” said Rebecca Gatto of Xylem Inc. The utility also wanted to use the same pumps in both lift stations so that they wouldn’t need to carry excess inventory.

But, with the east and west lift stations located in different areas of the town, they experienced differing amounts of flow and pressure, which made finding a pump that fit both stations difficult.

SOLUTION Ultimately, Stantec proposed the town replace the existing lift stations with two Xylem Flygt pre-engineered TOP fibreglass stations equipped with Concertor pumps and Multi-Smart controllers.

Advantages of using a prepackaged fibreglass pump station include speed of installation, lightweight and easy-tohandle units. Minimal excavation time reduces site work and time spent on site.

Fibreglass stations are also corrosion-resistant and don’t require additional interior protective coatings.

Because flow conditions could not

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22 | December 2021

The MultiSmart controller panel is located just outside of the TOP fibreglass station for easy access.

be well defined, Xylem recommended the Concertor pump, which can accommodate a wide range of pumping needs.

Unlike the fixed performance curves of conventional pumps, Concertor offers an entire performance field from which to choose the right operating point.

Not only does this make selection extremely simple, but operating performance can easily be changed and finetuned on-site or remotely, as required.

“One of the major factors why we used the Concertor pumps is because we couldn’t narrow down specific duty points and the duty points that we had for both stations were different, which would

have meant two different models of pumps in each station,” Gatto explained.

Installing Concertor pumps in both the east and west lift stations also meant less inventory for the town of Herbert. Since the system covers a broad performance field and adapts automatically to different duty points, the town now has one backup Concertor pump on the shelf rather than two different models taking up space.

The addition of automation and controls provides the utility a means to more proactively maintain their assets and optimize energy and performance by gaining better visibility into, and control of, critical water and wastewater operations.

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

MultiSmart controllers provide sophisticated technology that can collect data, activate alarm control system alerts from each station and prioritize issues that truly require a technician visit.

Additionally, the intelligent controller monitors and calculates power usage in real time. This enables the utility’s operators to identify and control any inefficiencies and reduce overall power consumption in the facility.

RESULTS Since installation was completed in 2019, the lift stations have experienced no major issues and the utility’s operators report they are more than satisfied with the results. The equipment has worked without incident and the MultiSmart controllers provide excellent communication, which the utility previously lacked.

Because the utility’s operators have had little experience operating a sophisticated station like the new east and west lift stations, Xylem also receives notifications of alarms. Having an open line communication enables Xylem to help utility operators understand everything

Left: A ground level view of the TOP fibreglass station, which is equipped with Concertor pumps. Right: The utility added MultiSmart controllers so staff can more proactively maintain the facility’s assets and optimize energy and performance.

that’s going on at their station.

“That’s been one of the best outcomes,” said Gatto. “The fact that we’re able to help them with any issues and that we both have the capability to view what’s going on at the station online, instead of traveling to the stations.”

With the town of Herbert located four hours from the Xylem office in Saskatchewan, Gatto said remote viewing has been a saving grace for both parties.

For more information, contact Rebecca Gatto. Email: rebecca.gatto@xylem.com

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December 2021 | 23

SPECIAL FOCUS: CONSULTANTS’ FORUM

Funding innovation in engineering is critical to tackling climate change them can go a long way towards easing the costs of an engineering project. Consulting, municipal and industrial engineers are all eligible to make a claim.

However, even in an industry as chalBy Richard Hoy lenging and complex as engineering, many professionals still neglect the tax t a time when there is a renewed incentives available for R&D because sense of vigour in the fight against they’re either not aware of the scheme or climate change in the wake of the they assume their work doesn’t qualify.

United Nations Climate Change These are costly mistakes because the Conference (COP26), it’s clear that inno- government has been careful to make vation has a part to play and the private the rules quite broad, in order to spur sector has to be on board too. innovation in all walks of life.

Canada has grappled with its stance Contractor costs qualify too, so comon climate change for decades now, try- panies using third-party engineering ing to balance a commitment to reduce expertise on R&D-related activity can emissions, while safeguarding the econ- still benefit. omy, which depends greatly on natural resources.

WHAT EXACTLY IS SR&ED AND Change is on the horizon though, WHAT WORK QUALIFIES? and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau This rewarding tax incentive for innoannounced at COP26 that Canada will vation allows businesses to claim up to impose a hard cap on emissions from 41.5% of expenses incurred on R&Dthe oil and gas sector. Driving more related activity. This is a combination of innovation in environmental science federal and provincial incentives and it and engineering will help achieve these varies by province. ambitious targets, not just with oil and Not every cost associated with R&D gas, but with wastewater, air pollution, can be included in a claim. However, the construction and infrastructure. main qualifying expenses include staff The engineering industry, which con- costs, salaries, payments to contractors tinues to be of crucial importance to and third parties, and materials. these sectors, represents one of CanaThere are plenty of examples of innoda’s most innovative arenas. But compa- vative companies in past issues of Envinies large and small need the necessary ronmental Science & Engineering Magfunds to make the required research and azine, from innovation in water and development (R&D) a reality. While the wastewater to reducing pollution and federal government is making separate enforcing environmental protection. investments in this sector, tax credits are Projects undertaken at the new $1 often overlooked, despite how lucrative million water and wastewater treatthey can be. ment lab at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are likely to qualify WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO for SR&ED, as would recent developCOMPANIES IN THIS SECTOR? ments made by Waga Energy to deploy Tax credits for innovation are avail- its WAGABOX technology to convert able in Canada through the Scientific landfill gas to renewable natural gas in Research & Experimental Development Quebec.

(SR&ED) program. Taking advantage of As a general rule, when it comes to identifying work that might qualify,

A

there are three simple tests that must be met for innovation to be considered under these tax incentives. The work must: • Further technical knowledge or create advancement in the industry; • Overcome scientific or technological uncertainties; and, • Do something, by design, that other people would find hard or not obvious.

SR&ED is not to be confused with the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), which is a government-funded grant program available to small- and medium-sized businesses, rather than a tax incentive for R&D. At a time when some engineering firms are struggling financially due to the long-term effects of the pandemic, and with many projects still being put on hold, now is the perfect moment to make sure you’re taking full advantage of what is available.

MAKING A CLAIM The tax incentive for a private business is received as a cash payment and, for publicly traded companies, it is a credit to be offset against outstanding taxes. Seasoned tax advisers with experience of SR&ED claims know what qualifies and what doesn’t, but companies must keep good records of time and expenditure to support claims.

Businesses can claim up to 18 months after the tax year in which the innovation took place, so there is a good chance that if you didn’t know about the scheme before, you could still claim substantial amounts retrospectively.

Richard Hoy is president of Catax Canada. Email: richard.hoy@catax.com

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SPECIAL FOCUS: CONSULTANTS’ FORUM

Applying the alliance contracting model to the Canadian water sector holds a great deal of potential, but it will require some significant shifts in the way we think about project delivery.

Choosing right delivery model more important than ever for large infrastructure projects runs and a risk transfer model that has caused many design and construction firms to rethink their business strategies.

Gurjit Sangha

A

Stephen Horsman

s urban populations grow denser and aging infrastructure meets increased strain, big infrastructure projects have grown ever more vital and increasingly complex. This trend has become especially apparent in the water sector, where an estimated 30% of infrastructure is not in good condition.

Yet, delivering successful water projects requires a lengthy list of stakeholders, significant government investment and extensive risk management.

Even before COVID-19, project procurement processes were already facing growing challenges and multifaceted risks. Traditional delivery models like Public-Private Partnership (P3) or Design-Build (DB) have met mounting pressure from cost and schedule over26 | December 2021

ALLIANCE VERSUS TRADITIONAL CONTRACTING Compared with traditional project models like P3, where risk transfer between project stakeholders remains a challenge, the alliance model has some notable advantages.

The alliance model is an alternative procurement and delivery method. Under alliance contracting, “an owner and one or more service providers (designer, constructor, suppliers, etc.) work as an integrated team to deliver a specific project under a contractual framework where the commercial interests are aligned with actual project outcomes.” Essentially, alliance contracting was born from the desire to align the interests of all stakeholders in a project, encouraging synergies and integration with two possible outcomes: either winning or losing together.

With traditional forms of contracting, each party to the contract is assigned

separate obligations, and risks are also generally allocated to one party or the other. With alliance contracting, all parties share obligations as well as risk and opportunity.

The “pure alliance” approach relies on a mutual agreement that covers risk sharing, setting a cap on financial exposure, and no litigating. If a problem occurs, it is everybody’s problem and all parties work together to solve it. An alliance approach makes a fundamental shift to a shared or collective set of obligations, and a shared approach to risk and opportunity.

There also is typically an incentivized key performance indicator [KPI] system in place that identifies non-cost attributes of the project, such as stakeholder satisfaction, environmental outcomes, quality, safety, and performance, that are key to the successful delivery of the project. The inclusion of these KPIs ensures a balanced view of success, which extends beyond cost alone.

A cornerstone of the alliance model is that all participants work as part of an integrated team, with continuous transparency.

A PROMISING HISTORY Alliance contracting is relatively new to Canadian projects, but it has a solid history of success elsewhere. Alliance contracting was first developed during the 1990s in the U.K. oil and gas sector for petrochemical projects (such as offshore drilling platforms). Here, the traditional delivery of a complex risk profile typically led to significant cost and time overruns. It has since been successfully adopted and further developed on a range of infrastructure investments globally, including in Australia and New Zealand.

The alliance model has in fact become the norm in Australia over the past 20 years, and that significant body of experience and best practices can go far toward informing a Canadian approach.

Over those two decades, a number of alliance variants developed, such as pure, competitive, and hybrid, and a range of related collaborative models developed as well, such as delivery partner, risk-allocated maximum price, and new engi-

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

neering contract (NEC).

Specific case studies, such as WSP’s work with the Logan Water Alliance in Australia, demonstrate this success, along with broader learnings and insights. The Logan Water Alliance is a program alliance between the Logan City Council, a construction partner (Downer) and engineering partners (WSP and Cardno).

It has grown to more than AUD $100 million a year and spanned three contracts: Logan Water Alliance from 2009 to 2015, Logan Water Infrastructure Alliance from 2015 to 2020 and the current Logan Water Partnership from 2020 until at least 2025.

Within the partnership, an integrated multi-disciplinary team delivers infrastructure services from planning, design, construction and commissioning of Logan’s water, wastewater and recycled water network and treatment assets.

Over the 12 years of operation, the capital program has grown from delivering AUD $40 million per annum (pa) to over AUD $120 million pa. Additional functions have been included in the alliance, such as asset management, maintenance and operational support.

The alliance was established to allow Logan City Council to efficiently plan and deliver solutions within their rapidly growing community. The alliance operates a value register and the team has generated more than AUD $120 million of savings.

The Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant.

These savings have been generated by applying the diverse skills of the integrated team (engineering, operations, construction, maintenance, asset management) at every stage of the asset lifecycle, underpinned by systems and processes that drive innovation and the pursuit of value.

to overall project success through winwin outcomes. These more traditional project delivery models can lead to protectionist behaviours, where contracting parties lose sight of the broader project success factors as they seek to maximize or preserve their individual benefit.

An alliance-contracting model could CREATING CULTURAL SHIFTS favourably change the decision-making Applying this model for similar suc- context for owner-operators, construccess in the Canadian water sector holds tion and design stakeholders. The proa great deal of potential, but it will cess provides a shared understanding require some significant shifts in the way of what the project is trying to achieve. we think about project delivery.

With alliance contracting, a single entity For one thing, the traditional design- representing all stakeholders’ interests bid-build and, more recently, design- can minimize adversarial zero-sumbuild project delivery models often lack game dynamics; instead, an envisioned the collaborative environment that leads continued overleaf…

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December 2021 | 27

SPECIAL FOCUS: CONSULTANTS’ FORUM

win-win, lose-lose outcome guides behaviour and decisions.

Aligning objectives for all project stakeholders enhances efficiency and incentivizes relationship-building at the start, strengthening the foundation for productive relationships sustained throughout the project. Trust is innately established through the commitment to common objectives and transparency regarding the success factors for each party. This environment of transparency can prevent cost overruns and sets the stage for innovative solutions that can help the project get back on budget quickly.

While this collaborative project delivery mindset is often organically embodied by successful project managers, without the structural change that the alliance contracting approach provides, establishing a truly collaborative owner-designer-builder-operator relationship is often left to chance. To set the stage for the alliance contracting process in Canada, a major shift in the owner’s

To set the stage for the alliance contracting process in Canada, a major shift in the owner’s organizational procurement and governance approaches is a key prerequisite.

organizational procurement and goverThe alliance contracting model’s use of nance approaches is a key prerequisite. common KPIs and success factors fundamentally shifts the motivation from COLLABORATION AND ALIGNMENT the individual to the collective good.

It is difficult to overestimate the value Where tension was previously applied of people dynamics and the multiply- through each party holding their cards ing effect of true collaboration. Under close, now all the cards are on the table the alliance model, the right dynamics with all parties contributing to achieve can be set from the get-go, to build trust the predefined set of common outcomes. more quickly with the owner-operator The parties are incentivized to deliver involved. Also, the operators can voice great KPI results through a range of their concerns and provide any helpful mechanisms, such as financial, additional input early. work and ability to tender future work.

Having all parties at the same table supports ongoing direct client interaction, further developing trust over the project lifecycle. Where traditional delivery models have focused on risk transfer, the alliance contracting model allows for collective ownership of project risks so that individual capabilities and strengths can be leveraged, as and when needed, to address potential or real risks events. This then eliminates the need for parties to carry overlapping contingencies, where parties seek to protect their individual interests.

With all parties “on the same team,” mutual understanding is gained through transparency, and there is greater focus on essential actions; every party is clear about the responsibilities assigned to each of the stakeholders involved. An integrated team makes it more likely that time is well spent for all stakeholders, provides greater capacity for cost savings, and facilitates the best outcome for project participants and end users.

Gurjit Sangha and Stephen Horsman are with WSP. For more information, visit: www.wsp.com/en-CA/insights/ alliance-contracting-drives-value-forwater-projects

28 | December 2021

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

SPECIAL FOCUS: CONSULTANTS’ FORUM

Ontario bill targets removal of licensure barriers for immigrant engineers

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recent Ontario bill aims to eliminate the requirement for Canadian work experience, often cited as the most significant barrier for Canadian immigrants seeking licensure in fields such as engineering.

Just one quarter of internationally-trained immigrants in Ontario are employed in the regulated professions for which they trained, despite a massive labour shortage of about 300,000 unfilled positions in those same professions, according to the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

“Ontario is facing a generational labour shortage with hundreds of thousands of jobs going unfilled,” says Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “However, all too often, newcomers in this province struggle to find jobs in their regulated profession for no other reason than bureaucracy and red tape,” he added.

In October, Ontario introduced Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021. Among the changes proposed by the bill is a plan to remove barriers for internationally-trained individuals to get licensed to practise in certain regulated profes-

impediments to licensure. It proposes to reduce “burdensome” duplication for official language proficiency testing, so people would not have to complete multiple tests for purposes of immigration and professional licensing.

The bill would also allow applicants to register faster in their regulated professions during emergencies, such as Ontario has introduced Bill 27, Working a pandemic. At present, licensing time for Workers Act, 2021. Among the changes proposed by the bill is a plan to remove barriers in some regulated professions takes up to 18 months or more, Ontario offifor internationally-trained individuals. cials said. The new bill aims to “ensure Credit: Gorodenkoff, stock.adobe.com the licensing process is completed in a timely manner to help internationalsions, including engineering. Notably, ly-trained immigrants start working in the bill would also impact fields such as careers that match their skillset.” law, accounting, architecture, electrical Through the Ontario Bridge Trainand plumbing. ing Program, Ontario is investing $67 If passed, the bill would make Ontario million over three years on programs the first province to level the playing and services that connect internationalfield. “This new legislation is a path for- ly-trained immigrants with in-demand ward that will optimistically continue to jobs in their communities. bridge support for internationally-educated professionals as they look to prac- Report by ES&E staff. Email: tise safely and effectively in a new pro- editor@esemag.com fessional environment,” stated Engineers Canada in a recent news release.

Ontario’s Bill 27 targets several other

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December 2021 | 29

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Embedding sustainability as part of your company’s DNA to drive growth

By Greg Carli

W

ith the accelerated pace of societal, environmental and corporate change set to remain, businesses need to prepare for the future by managing risk and becoming more resilient to this change. Some of the biggest risks currently facing businesses include climate change, social inequity, resource scarcity and capital allocation.

With the introduction of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we saw sustainability become front of mind for business leaders who are progressively making commitments towards their decarbonization targets and better environmental, social and governance (ESG) outcomes.

Understanding what those commitments really mean and developing a road map to translate them into outcomes can be overwhelming. The sustainability journey many organizations speak of is really a strategic planning exercise and operations management approach to non-financial topics.

With an increasing focus placed on ESG

30 | December 2021

as an inextricable way of doing business, it can be easy to fall into a trap of wanting to do it all. As with anything, establishing the basics is important to delivering on ambitious sustainability goals.

However, many also expressed a lack of confidence in businesses, with 58% of Americans and 63% of Canadians believing businesses will fail to meet their responsibilities to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

THE CONVERGENCE Combined, these expectations are OF STAKEHOLDER AND pushing businesses to demonstrate CONSUMER INFLUENCE increased transparency of their environThe convergence of stakeholder influ- mental and social impacts. A strong link ence has created an unparalleled empha- between sustainability, growth and persis on ESG issues for business and society. formance is key to meeting and exceedCommunities, consumers and govern- ing those expectations. ments increasingly expect investors to allocate capital in socially, environmen- HOW COMPANIES CAN RESPOND tally responsible and ethical ways to sup- TO DRIVE GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE THROUGH port the broader sustainability agenda.

STRATEGIC SUSTAINABILITY Investors are also favouring sustainable-based funds. During the market Balancing growth with environmenturmoil of 2020, the returns on many tal stewardship and social welfare that funds committed to strong ESG out- deliver long-term value to stakeholdcomes performed better than those of ers sits at the heart of sustainability. To comparable non-ESG funds. support this balance, businesses need The ongoing pandemic has reinforced to look towards circular approaches to the shift in consumers amplifying the safeguard the environment, appeal to purchasing power behind sustainable changing consumer trends, and meet the products and companies. Our recent demand for greener products and serglobal survey of some 8,000 consumers vices. Re-thinking products and services showed sustainability factors are a high in light of these challenges can maximize priority, with 86% of Americans and 87% long-term value for stakeholders. of Canadians agreeing that we all have A sound ESG strategy lays out a a responsibility to change our habits to framework to manage risk, realize savhelp the planet become more sustainable. ings, improve performance and increase

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

stakeholder satisfaction. Environmentally, it looks at impacts on the planet, energy used, waste discharges and resources needed. Socially, it measures the effects on the workforce and society, relationships with people and benefits to stakeholders. For governance, it considers policies, decision-making rules, organizational structure systems of practice, and stakeholder inclusiveness.

EMBEDDING STRATEGIC SUSTAINABILITY Establishing long-term goals will enable transformation and create longterm viability and investment opportunities. Integrating these goals into decision making creates value and becomes a key function to achieving the strategic company vision.

Foundational steps include program visioning and governance, stakeholder engagement, materiality assessment, and establishing strategic goals and programmatic focus areas for an ESG program. With that foundation built, the

Foundational steps include program visioning and governance, stakeholder engagement, materiality assessment, and establishing strategic goals and programmatic focus areas for an ESG program.

business can embark on a more regular or ongoing cycle of strategy, planning, management and reporting.

GHD recently worked with Shell to manage hazardous waste associated with a crude oil tank. By implementing our recommendations, Shell is improving their ESG strategies with a changed approach to tank cleaning projects as well as a standard practice to improve efficiencies and reduce waste.

Virtually all businesses are grappling with ESG right now, either to attract

investment, remain competitive, or futureproof their operations to appeal to stakeholders and consumers. The landscape is evolving rapidly and shying away from it now will only make it a larger challenge in the future. Operationalizing sustainability is a pathway to future preparedness that can ultimately lead to sustained growth.

Greg Carli is global leader for ESG and strategic sustainability at GHD. Email: gregory.carli@ghd.com

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cessing application software tools.

Big data is only usable if it can effectively be cataloged, sorted, and leveraged for a particular output. Now that we have the data digitized, we need our technical experts to contribute and provide input on what our data can tell us, and what would be useful for an output.

Then, someone who understands how to use and manipulate that data to provide the output needs to be involved. This person and skillset will typically not be within a consultancy.

With the digitization completed, and the individual(s) in place to manipulate and interpret the data, we can begin to utilize the information to provide cost-savings and a return on the investment (ROI) incurred in the digitization process. Digitization is a positive step, but the ROI comes with the application of the analysis.

Typically, we think of how big data can build communities in the context of things like smart cities. But the digitization of environmental data can lead to more efficient development, stronger designs, and smarter resilience measures. Credit: Yingyaipumi, stock.adobe.com

Capturing the value of converting records to digital formats THE PROCESS OF DIGITIZATION There are two things to consider when we talk about digitizing. Digitizing information is one thing, but being able to catalogue, manipulate, analyze, and

By Corey McNair leverage our data (via dashboards, models, digital twins, etc.) is critical to reallmost every business, govern- izing the full potential of our libraries. ment or institution office has one: Given the amount of information in the a room filled with boxes of old consulting industry, this entails implerecords, meticulously organized menting big data principles. to ensure anyone needing to access the Digitizing information starts with records has the ability to do so. Each building a system using formats that box carries thousands of points of data, can be catalogued. A secure but accesseparated from additional data points sible location for the data to be stored related to the same geographical area. is vital, as it needs to be easily accessible But, as how we use digital tools to to employees (as it was in the file room), assess, design, engineer, construct, oper- but also easily shared with any internal or ate and maintain our built and natural external party conducting future analysis. environments evolves, we realize how Depending on the volume of data genvaluable those same documents would erated from the digitization process, you be in an accessible format, informing may create what is defined as “big data”, our decisions, and leading to smarter, or data sets that are so large that they canstronger assets. not be managed by traditional data-pro-

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32 | December 2021

HOW CAN WE NOW USE THIS DATA? The analysis of big data has practical and valuable applications throughout the environment sector.

From a land management and assessment perspective, digitizing our historical geotechnical ground condition information (boreholes) and incorporating big-data analytics principles could provide a comprehensive fingerprint of existing conditions across large geographies. We can have access to real-time information on soil and rock characteristics to generate insights that inform fact-based decision making. This can be highly effective when investigating potential land use, the cost of development, and potential risks associated with site conditions In the water sector, big data analysis is already being used by municipalities throughout North America to track emerging contaminants in wastewater streams. Even the slightest increase in the presence of a contaminant can have significant impacts on human, plant or animal health. The use of data analysis, with the incorporation of decades-long data sets, can help understand when/ how contaminants emerge in the wastewater, making it easier to track their potential source.

This has been the case more recently

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

with the detection of the coronavirus in wastewater streams. Analyzing them, and using big data analysis to trace volumes of the virus, have led researchers to better appreciate the source of a potential outbreak. Such was the findings of a University of Calgary study conducted in the spring of 2021, which also suggested that similar detection and analysis could be used to detect outbreaks of other harmful diseases.

PUTTING DATA TO WORK IN DESIGN We are at the beginning of a monumental shift in the consulting market.

Technological uptake and application will drive efficiency and evolution of the industry. By putting our new and historical data to work in the design process, we can provide significant benefits in project development.

With a fulsome understanding of how above ground, ground level and below ground factors can impact cost and risk, we can influence design decision making

Digitizing historical data can be valuable in understanding the source of present and newly discovered chemicals. Credit: kozorog, stock.adobe.com

zation in all phases of design (advisory, conceptual, detailed, construction); however, it is typically piecemeal. Not all processes are being conducted using digital platforms, losing the valuable efficiencies that full digitization creates.

Digitizing our processes, procedures, and collaboration will improve project quality, as well as the overall cost of infrastructure development. When we effectively catalogue, manipulate, analyze and leverage our data, we can make smarter, more resilient and efficient decisions for developing and rehabilitating our assets.

Corey McNair is the vice president,

before any significant design is completed. Ontario Earth & Environment, By lowering risk, saving time, and at WSP in Canada. Email: informing cost optimizing decision corey.mcnair@wsp.com making, we can help clients maximize their return on investment and more than pay for any additional cost of digitization.

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December 2021 | 33

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The importance of the author-verifier relationship in project management

By Patrick Coleman

T

he relationship between an engineer who created a work and an engineer who checks it, functions only if the two communicate and trust each other. This partnership improves the work done and grows the expertise of those involved. If this relationship fails, an error can creep into the design, that at best causes embarrassment, and at worse costs innocent people their lives.

When my son was three, his U.K. nursery school required him to write his name. He had a hard time with the first letter – “E”. We told him: “Make one stick and then three sideways sticks like your age.” All was fine until he turned four. A fourth sideway stick showed up. When we asked why, he answered, “I am now four”. We obtained the desired outcome, but it was not until he had a birthday that we realized we had miscommunicated.

Communication is difficult. When we rush to agree, we may not have agreed at all. We can attribute more than one engineering disaster to poor communication.

For example, the design error that caused the Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse in 1981, crept into the project because the consultant provided what they thought were preliminary sketches; the contractor thought they were final drawings.

Communication is a challenge because, while we think we know what we are saying, our words may say something else, and we are only guessing what the other person is hearing. If the conversation is not genuine, or ends too soon, we are in danger of walking away not understanding what the other person was saying.

Ian Leslie, in his book “Conflicted: Why Arguments Are Tearing Us Apart and How They Can Bring Us Together”, 34 | December 2021

The Hyatt Regency walkway collapse in Kansas, Missouri, killed 114 people and injured 216. It was one of the deadliest structural failures in the U.S. until the collapse of the World Trade Center. Credit: Dr. Lee Lowery, Jr., P.E., Wikipedia, Public Domain.

View of the collapsed spans of the Second Narrows Crossing Bridge in August 1958, two months after the collapse. Credit: Ron B. Thompson, Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

draws from the experience of individuals who must establish communication in highly charged situations. These individuals include police officers, crisis workers, hostage negotiators and interrogators.

Those who succeed in these situations first focus on establishing a trust relationship with the other party. They know when they walk into a room there is no trust. When we enter an author-verifier relationship, we may assume trust is in place, but often it is not. Proceeding on an incorrect assumption that someone trusts us is as dangerous as proceeding when no trust is in place.

Once we gain trust and the conversation starts, we need to do what it takes to keep it going. Be curious, show respect, be aware of our biases, apologize for our

mistakes, control our anger, and disrupt the script if the conversation is going nowhere. Once engaged, stay engaged.

We also need to avoid trying to control the other person, or trying to guess what the other person wants to hear. In this “difficult conversations” age, we all have become adept at saying what other people want to hear. If we manipulate, we will hear what we want but not what we need to hear.

Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) guideline “Professional Engineers Reviewing Work Prepared by Another Professional Engineer” states: “Professional engineers should not object to having their work reviewed or to reviewing work of a colleague.”

The guideline goes on to say: “All practitioners should be aware of the broader implications of offering opinions on the work of another professional engineer.”

The PEO expects that (1) professionals having their work checked and those checking it will be respectful, and (2) the person checking the document is cognizant how their comments may impact the engineers who produced the work.

The conversation that follows checking, or having work checked, can feel awkward, or worse, confrontational. But, if we focus, we will catch what is important.

Ian Leslie argues we need to establish rules. The author-verifier must agree on constraints and processes. Here are a few rules I have learned: • Ensure the copy that goes to the verifier is free of grammatical and spelling errors.

A verifier is not an editor. However, an error filled document undermines the verifier’s confidence in the author.

• Understand what the verifier was asked to check. One verifier’s task may be to review the document to check against the company’s communication standards, while a second verifier may be checking against technical best practices. Respond accordingly.

• Respect confidentiality. The author-ver-

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

ifier relationship is private, meaning the culation or made anyone else aware of Table 1: Code Request verifier should not talk to others about their discovery. the review. Verifiers should provide their “What was even more astonishing was A Incorporate or add comments to those who asked for them that the grillage calculation sheet never and be ready to support the author in left the small mobile office on the north B Confirm making their corrections. Verifiers must bridge approach. Access was therefore act in a way that retains the author’s trust limited to a few individuals. Whoever C Consider in the process. found that error, whether out of fear or D Change • The intent of a verifier’s comments embarrassment, or both, must have recmust be clear to the author. Good pracognized its implications, but for whatever E Note tice is to code the comments (Table 1). If reason chose to remain silent.” a verifier asks that a number be checked, I remember when I was shown that they may be asking that we confirm it, or calculation as an engineering student in they may be asking us to correct it. The intent of these requests is the late 1970s. The room went silent as our teacher let it sink in different as is the action to resolve them. that the uncorrected mistake cost 19 innocent lives, including • The verifier comments on what they have been asked to the design engineer and his supervisor. review. They do not provide an opinion on the individuals We have a vested interest in preserving the integrity of the who produced the work in their comments. Verification is not relationship between those who do the work and those who a “practice review”. check it. Miscommunication caused by a poor relationship • A verifier should use their relationship with the author to puts both those we serve and ourselves at risk. both teach and learn. The author and verifier should take If we take all verifications seriously, we will not fail to take pride in how they have worked together to improve the qual- the one seriously that could cost innocent lives. ity of a deliverable.

I visited a design centre to review their procedures and Patrick F. Coleman, PhD, C.E.M., P.Eng. is with Stantec. Email: was impressed by the centre’s procedures for checking doc- pat.coleman@stantec.com (References are available upon request) uments, specifications, calculations and drawings. However, my host handed me a fifth procedure and said: “This is the most important one.” The fifth procedure placed the onus on the project manager to ensure that no document left the company until the team resolved all the verifier’s concerns. He said: “No point in checking something if no one acts on the comments.” In some cases, the author and verifier must be forced to resolve their issues by a third-party.

Our partnership with the The collapse of the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Water Research Foundation Crossing Bridge during construction is a stark reminder of is investigating and defining this fact. On June 17, 1958, the partly built Second Narrows Bridge across the Burrard Inlet in Vancouver collapsed. Sevthe Digital Utility of the Future. enty-nine workers fell 30 metres to the water.

Eighteen men either died instantly or drowned because tool belts weighed them down or they were trapped in the wreckage.

Later a rescue diver also died. A Royal Commission was convened to determine the cause of the accident. The Royal Commission concluded the cause was due to an error in the design of the temporary framework used in building the bridge to hold items in place until the structure was able to support itself.

The details of this event are chronicled in Eric Jamieson’s excellent book “Tragedy at Second Narrows”. Here is a description of the exchange between R. S. Eadie (Dominion Bridge) and John L. Farris, the royal commission’s senior counsel: “A few minutes later, Eadie was asked about who had made the pencilled correction of one of the dimensional errors on the To learn more, contact Roxanne Richardson upper grillage design sheet. Someone had discovered one of the (780) 917-8158 | roxanne.richardson@stantec.com errors (flange thickness substituted for web thickness), astonishingly before the collapse, and although they had put a penDesign with community in mind | stantec.com/ces cil mark through the incorrect figure and noted the correct web thickness, they had not followed through with the rest of the calwww.esemag.com @ESEMAG

December 2021 | 35

SPECIAL FOCUS: OPERATORS’ FORUM

Anti-cavitation trim should be an engineered product created for the application to ensure the destructive nature of cavitation is controlled.

There are many operational issues faced when dealing with control valves.

Here are some common ones: Q: WHAT ARE THE LOCATIONS AND FUNCTIONS OF EACH CONTROL VALVE IN THE SYSTEM?

This Singer valve can control upstream pressure, downstream pressure, level of water flow or open position of the valve, depending on the sensors installed.

How to diagnose and repair automatic control valves

By Ryan Carroll

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utomatic control valves are often viewed as simple pieces of equipment. They open, close, or modulate to control water pressure, flow, level, or pumps. Automatic control valves are found all over the world in varying areas such as irrigation, fire protection, aviation, building trades and waterworks distribution systems.

As control valves are often unseen or in remote locations, how do crews know when something is wrong before it causes a bigger problem? What can they do to prevent or reduce the risk?

The answers lie in the capabilities of the control valve. Many are located in areas where access to power is unavailable. In these locations, hydraulic pilots are utilized to control valves based on flow, pressure, or level sensed by the pilot system.

Operators responsible for these valves should look into creating and/or utilizing a preventative maintenance and valve exercising program. This ensures correct 36 | December 2021

operation and that the valves are able to perform as required when hydraulically called into service. If there is access to power, then electronically actuated controls utilizing solenoids, motor operators, and panels will help integrate the control valve to a SCADA system. This enhances the monitoring and control of the system or zone it controls.

When choosing a control valve for a specific application, consider conditions that will exist where they do not perform well. They need at least 10 psi of differential pressure to work effectively in most cases. If there is not this amount of differential in the application, a control valve manufacturer can help provide a solution.

Issues like cavitation will occur whenever there is a pressure drop of greater than 65% through the valve. This condition is unavoidable at times and can be mitigated by utilizing orifice plates or anti-cavitation trim to provide additional pressure drop areas before the water flows downstream of the valve.

A: If you are responsible for a system with multiple automatic control valves, you should utilize a spreadsheet or database to enter the important data about them. Enter the manufacturer, model, serial number and any other pertinent information available. Take a picture of the valve when it is installed when possible.

Then, use a map to show the location of the valve with a corresponding number that can be cross-referenced with the spreadsheet or database. Make a reference sheet of customer service numbers for manufacturers responsible for items within the system and who is responsible for service and supply for those valves.

The database can be used to keep track of valve servicing and additional parts that may be added to the valve and changes made to its operating conditions.

Q: WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE TASKS FOR VALVE OPERATORS TO PERFORM AND HOW CAN WE STREAMLINE TASKS? A: As mentioned earlier, there are many valves that perform control tasks for different applications in different areas. For example, valve 1 may perform the same tasks as valve 2, but valve 1 operates in a distant area with more particulates, increased pressures, and a higher possibility for tuberculation.

As these are identified, valve 1 is at a much higher risk for problems that can lead to reduced performance. If maintenance is not performed at an appropriate rate (i.e., quarterly) it may lead to a failure due to a blocked strainer. If electrical options are present, utilizing local panels or integration to SCADA controls can alert an operator to a possible failure in some applications.

Many manufacturers have products that can help with reactionary mainte-

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

nance options, but a good preventative maintenance program will reduce the failures a system may experience.

valves ensures both the spring settings of the pilot controls and the function of the mainline valves as well.

Q: ARE QUICK REFERENCE MANUALS OR TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDES READILY AVAILABLE FOR EVERY OPERATOR OR MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN?

Q: IF SCADA IS IN USE BY THE UTILITY, CAN INFORMATION BE TRANSMITTED BACK FROM EXISTING CONTROL VALVE LOCATIONS?

A: When troubleshooting a control valve, it is always recommended to have the schematic of the valve, as well as the instruction and operation manual (IOM), on site. Many manufacturers of automatic control valves provide a full submittal document about every item utilized to make the control valve function as it is provided from the factory.

In addition, an IOM is provided with a schematic, valve start up instructions and troubleshooting FAQs. If this manual is lost or unavailable, many manufacturers maintain a library of IOMs on their website or with their customer service team. If the troubleshooting issue is not addressed either in the IOM or the submittal documents, contact the manufacturer for assistance.

Q: DOES THE OPERATOR KNOW HOW TO MANUALLY OVERRIDE THE CONTROL VALVE TO CLOSE, OPEN, OR LOCK THE VALVE AND ITS CURRENT HYDRAULIC POSITION? A: Utilizing isolation ball valves at the ports of the pilot system will enable an operator to close the upstream ball valve to lock the main valve in an open position, close the downstream ball valve to lock the main valve in a closed position, and close the top cover/bonnet ball valve to lock the diaphragm in its current position.

These isolation ball valves enable the operator to lock the valve in certain positions to perform safe maintenance of the main valve and the pilot system without removing the valve from the line. If the operator isn’t trained on how to perform these tasks, many manufacturers hold training courses on automatic control valves.

Q: ARE ANY REGULAR TESTS OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM REQUIRED? A: A valve can be tested at any time www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

Changing out elastomers is an important part of automatic control valve preventative maintenance.

and often simply by utilizing the above-mentioned pilot system isolation ball valves and/or by a gate valve exercising program. The use of these isolation

A: Yes, a control valve is an asset to be used for information, as well as control. Every valve manufacturer has a multitude of transmitters, in addition to controls, and whether it is converting a standard hydraulic valve into a metering control valve or passive metering measurement. If one has the right amount of differential pressure, a diaphragm actuated automatic control valve can control or measure almost anything a district would want or need.

Ryan Carroll is with Mueller Water Products. Email: rcarroll@muellerwp.com, or visit: www.muellerwaterproducts.com

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December 2021 | 37

SPECIAL FOCUS: OPERATORS’ FORUM

Incidents of cyber attacks on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic

ties, including utilities. Chawla cites the case earlier this year where a computer hacker gained remote access to a water treatment facility in Oldsmar, Florida, and tried to compromise the water supply. A quick-thinking operator was able to interrupt the real-time attack, avoiding a potential public health emergency.

By Catherine Flannery

C

ybersecurity, the protection of internet-connected computer systems and networks from outside attacks, is one of the most serious economic and security challenges Canada and Canadians are facing, according to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations in Canada and around the world have seen a rise in cybersecurity incidents affecting corporate devices (according to reports from IBM Security, Panda Security and others).

“One of the reasons is because more people are working remotely,” says Sav Chawla, vice president of Information and Information Technology (I & IT) at the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), the largest provider of water and wastewater services in Canada. “Even with excellent cybersecurity for work-at-home in place, organizations can face increased risk because people tend to behave differently at home than in the office.”

RISKY BEHAVIOURS Risky behaviours include visiting unsafe websites while on a work device, allowing others in the household to use a work device, and using work devices for personal reasons. These behaviours put an organization’s network and data at risk.

One of the most common methods cyber attackers use against individuals is phishing. This is where an attacker poses as a legitimate source in an email. The goal is to trick the recipient into sharing confidential data such as credit card and login information or to install malware on the victim’s machine by encouraging them to click on a link.

Sometimes there will be obvious indications that the email is fraudulent. For example, the sender’s email address will contain a series of jumbled letters and numbers and the message will contain typos, grammar mistakes and strange capitalization. However, Chawla notes, 38 | December 2021

thapana, stock.adobe.com

cyber attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and we should all be extra vigilant.

EMAIL ADDRESSES FORGED “More and more, organizations are experiencing a specific type of phishing called spoofing. Your employees receive an email from a trusted source (such as a work colleague or supplier) asking for sensitive information. But, in fact, a cyber attacker has forged the sender’s address.”

What can organizations do to protect themselves? “Awareness is key,” says Chawla. “You can have the best cybersecurity measures in place, but your employees are your best line of defence against cyber attacks. Help them to develop good cybersecurity hygiene through regular and up-to-date communications and training.”

SIMULATION EXERCISES Organizations may want to consider phishing simulation exercises as part of their cybersecurity toolkit, says Chawla.

During these simulations, an IT department sends out fake phishing emails and tracks how people react. Some staff will identify the email as suspicious and report it, whereas others will click the link in the email.

The clickers will get a pop-up alerting them to the simulation. “These exercises can be very effective in raising cybersecurity awareness. They provide a real wake-up call for some staff.”

While phishing as well as other cyber-security attacks against individuals are on the rise, so are those targeting businesses and organizations as enti-

DATA HELD TO RANSOM Increasingly, hackers are using a form of malware attack called ransomware against victims. The ransomware prevents users from accessing their systems or data and demands the organization pay to regain access. A number of Canadian municipalities have experienced ransomware attacks over the past several years.

In the face of these increased threats, Canadian utilities are being prompted to assess their cyber systems for vulnerabilities and take action to protect their operations. For example, Halifax Water, which provides drinking water, storm and wastewater services to more than 300,000 people, is looking to beef up its cybersecurity.

“As a trusted water and wastewater operator, OCWA considers the protection of client data and operational systems to be a top priority,” says Chawla.

“The Agency employs robust cybersecurity measures, such as real-time detection, intrusion protection, advanced anti-malware software and regular employee training on cybersecurity threats.”

EDUCATE STAFF Chawla adds that it’s “vital for municipalities themselves to also have protocols in place to protect their water and wastewater systems. For example, ensuring that any third-party contractors they hire are accessing the systems in a safe way.”

She also recommends that municipalities and all organizations educate staff (especially those working from home) on cybersecurity hygiene and provide a clear and easy way to report suspicious activity.

Reprinted with permission from OCWA. Catherine Flannery is a marketing and community outreach specialist with OCWA. For more information, email: ocwa@ocwa.com

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

SPECIAL FOCUS: OPERATORS’ FORUM

The Hubgrade team at VNA tested digital applications to remotely analyze the plant’s equipment.

Using augmented reality tools to inspect wastewater plants

By Veronique Bourgier and Melissa Demsky

O

ver the past year, as Veolia North America (VNA) adjusted to the realities of operating in a world restricted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company turned to innovative technologies to provide essential water and wastewater treatment services to communities across Canada.

Nowhere was this commitment to cutting-edge technology more evident than in one municipal wastewater plant, which VNA has operated and maintained for more than a decade. Concerned that pandemic restrictions would prevent evaluating the plant’s equipment for proper functioning in person, the company used augmented reality (AR) digital tools to examine critical components with precision.

VNA operates and maintains this plant to treat domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater, and produce reclaimed water for agriculture, which includes table crops such as lettuce and tomatoes, park irrigation, airport greenery, and groundwater recharge. The plant uses a full spectrum of advanced safety policies and practices to ensure the highest standards are being met.

The objective was to provide an www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

assessment of the current condition of plant assets. This information could be used to forecast repair and replacement costs for the coming year. The assessment would also support development of a five-year capital plan to provide asset management-based information for financial planning.

Due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, VNA faced a challenge in that on-site support was not possible.

The evaluation required the use of specialized tools (e.g., Fluke 810 vibration meter, SDT 270 ultrasound meter, and Flir thermal camera) to perform the condition assessment of the assets and on-site staff were not familiar with the operation of these tools.

The team ultimately decided to use an AR tool to remotely conduct the evaluation of the condition of the equipment at the plant. The tools were developed under VNA’s Hubgrade digital platform.

The Hubgrade team at VNA tested sophisticated digital applications to remotely analyze the plant’s equipment.

This platform uses ultrasound, vibration and thermal imaging, along with inspections, to get an accurate, remote picture of which plant components were func-

tioning properly, and which required upgrades or repairs.

The pilot, which also reduced expenses that would otherwise be incurred by sending experts to inspect the plant in person, has proven to be such a success that VNA plans to conduct remote assessments at many other water and wastewater plants it operates.

Thanks to this technology, safety conditions can be evaluated and potential hazards identified.

The AR tool proved to be a valuable, easy-to-use and efficient solution and key enabler for remote supervision and management of asset condition assessments. It gave the asset manager and technical support team the ability to interact in real time with site staff to collect needed data, using specialized maintenance tools.

Thanks to Hubgrade Assist, the wastewater plant owners were advised of assets in need of immediate maintenance attention and how to develop a comprehensive plan for future investing. In the process, VNA was able to cut back on the costs and time associated with sending inspectors to the plant in person. Most importantly, in the midst of a global public health crisis, the risk of COVID exposure while maintaining services for the local community was reduced.

Veronique Bourgier and Melissa Demsky are with Veolia North America.

Email: veronique.bourgier@veolia.com, melissa.demsky@veolia.com December 2021 | 39

SPECIAL FOCUS: OPERATORS’ FORUM

Using air-operated double-diaphragm pumps to optimize filter press operation

By Paul McGarry

F

ilter presses, which were invented a century ago, are used to remove solids from a liquid stream. Sludge that is separated as the solid-laden liquid moves through the filter press can be easily removed and disposed of. The cleaned liquid can then be moved to the next stage of the production process, or recirculated back into the filter press for further processing.

Industrial water and wastewater applications are ones where filter presses have proven their worth from day one.

This is an application where large volumes of solids and liquids need to be separated on a daily basis. As the solid-laden slurry is pumped into the press, two chambers are filled, which facilitates the formation of thick slurry “cakes”.

While the chambers fill, pressure inside the system increases to the point that when the chambers reach capacity, the liquid is filtered out with the aid of streams of compressed air or water. This “dewatering” leaves behind solid slurry, or sludge cake, that is ready for disposal.

A major advantage in this cake-creation process for operators of water/ wastewater plants is that instead of having to dispose of large amounts of wet slurry, the outcome is a flow of neutralized water and a comparatively small amount of cake, which reduces disposal costs.

To operate properly, filter presses require good filtration and constant system pressure so that the flakes that form the slurry cakes are not destroyed. This means that pressures of up to 100 psi (7 bar) are generally required.

The filter press process in water and wastewater treatment also requires that various types of ancillary liquids be used.

In many cases, these liquids, including things like milk of lime, which is very abrasive, and a variety of alkalines, cannot be released into the environment. This necessitates the need for a reliably leak40 | December 2021

Air-operated double-diaphragm pumps work well in filter-press applications, because of their simple design and method of operation.

free pumping technology that is compati- separated into the sticky, syrupy soluble with a wide range of liquid types. tion we all recognize, with a water-like byproduct that is removed. To get the CREATING A LESS-STICKY SITUATION production process started, pumps are Everyone has at least seen a depiction used to transfer the raw sap into the filof the manufacturing process for maple ter press at the beginning of the producsyrup. A series of buckets connected by tion process. plastic tubes are hung from maple trees, which are tapped, allowing their sap to SURVIVING THE DEEP FREEZE flow into the buckets.

There are some industrial producWhen enough is collected, the sap is tion processes that require the finished boiled again and again, until it reaches products to be manufactured with the the point that it can be called pan- aid of components that need to be sepacake-ready maple syrup. This is a time- rated in extremely cold operating condiand labour-intensive process, but one tions. In fact, in some cases this requires that was performed in that manner for the use of a liquid like ethanol that has hundreds of years. been cooled to a temperature that can That is until recently. It has only been be as low as -40ºC. It is at the beginning in the last two or three decades that maple of these types of processes that pumps syrup production has become fully mech- are used to push a mixture of the raw anized and modernized, with many pro- material and the super-cooled ethanol ducers now utilizing a “reverse osmosis” through the filter press. production process that reduces the time Because many of these types of proand cost to manufacture maple syrup. cesses are also used in the production Enter the filter press, or as syrup manu- of goods made for human consumption, facturers have begun calling it, the “syrup they must be produced under the strict press”. Rather than repeatedly boiling the auspices of hygienic/sanitary manufacsap to create syrup, today’s process sees turing regulations. the sap passed through the filter press in Additionally, since ethanol is claswhat is called the evaporation stage. sified as an explosive substance, the As evaporation occurs, the sap is pumps used in the production of goods Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

that require it during the manufactur- As a diaphragm moves inward it creates ing process must be certified for use in suction. This suction causes the balls that atmospheres that feature gases, vapours are located on the check valves to move or air/dust mixtures that could explode. toward each other. As this happens, the ball on the top closes the valve, while the THE AODD SOLUTION ball on the bottom moves away from the For those looking to optimize their fil- valve, opening a path that allows the liqter-press operations, no matter the indus- uid to enter the pumping chamber. try or product, air-operated double-diaAs the diaphragm moves outward, phragm (AODD) pumps offer a number the discharge motion causes the balls to of operational advantages, including dry- move away from each other. As this haprun capability, compatibility with liquids pens, the top valve opens and the bottom of varying viscosities and pressures, good valve closes. This allows liquid to exit controllability and an inherently leak- the chambers and discharge through free design that features no gaskets or the top port. This process constantly seals. AODD pumps also have no drives, alternates between the two chambers rotating parts or rotary shaft seals. to create a continuous cycle. The pump AODD pumps work well in fil- diaphragms are driven by pressurized ter-press applications because of their air that is directed left and right by the simple design and method of operation. movement of the main air valve.

A pair of diaphragms that are connected The result is a pumping process that via a diaphragm rod work in unison to remains volumetrically consistent at move the liquid through the pump. flow rates of 757 L/min or higher, even While one side of the pump is in suc- with varying liquid viscosities and transtion mode, the other is in discharge mode. fer pressures. Startup is also as simple as

attaching a compressed-air hose to the pump’s air distribution system and turning it on. AODD pumps also require a smaller footprint than piston diaphragm or progressive cavity pumps, which allows them to be used in tighter operating areas.

Many manufacturers of AODD pumps are now also producing hygienic/ sanitary models that can be used in the production of consumable products, or in operating atmospheres that require a pump with an ATEX rating. This further expands the operational range for AODD pumps that can be used in conjunction with filter presses.

CONCLUSION Producers of consumer goods are finding that filter presses can be indispensable parts of their manufacturing operations, but only if partnered with the proper pump technology.

Paul McGarry is with PSG. Email: paul.mcgarry@psgdover.com

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December 2021 | 41

BIOGAS

It is a well-established technique to produce biogas by aerobic or anaerobic digestion, starting from various biodegradable materials.

Remote gas flow monitoring in a biodigester

C

AS Dataloggers Inc. supplied the remote gas flow monitoring data logging solution for a wastewater treatment company looking to optimize its operation. In the natural gas industry, it is a well-established technique to produce biogas by aerobic or anaerobic digestion, starting from various biodegradable materials.

The gas obtained this way consists of 60% to 70% methane, and can be used to fuel the digester’s boiler and electric generator engines.

The plant’s utilities director decided that the ideal way to increase yields was to monitor and record the biodigester’s gas flow.

For example, immediately after feeding the digester, there was usually a strong momentary increase in gas production.

But, there were also seasonal variations, since cold temperatures inhibit production. Consequently, controlling the feed rate would improve the production process. The director also required the capability to send alarms by SMS messaging.

The new monitoring system consists of an industrial data logger connected to two gas flow meter sensors. A compact, 42 | December 2021

self-contained weatherproof logger was required due to the need to be able to deploy it outdoors.

The loggers needed to have an internal battery for power since AC power was not readily available at the site. They also needed to have cellular communications capability since neither Ethernet nor Wi-Fi was available.

For this project, a DataTaker DT90L was chosen because it offered an IP67 rated enclosure and operated over a temperature range of -40°C to 70°C. An internal 48W-h lithium battery allowed extended operation and it could be connected directly to a 12V solar panel to recharge the battery for continuous operation. An integrated cellular modem allowed data transmission and alarm notification.

The gases were mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide, but hydrogen sulfide and wet vapour were also present. Since these can have corrosive effects, technicians had to use specific gas flow sensors, in this case, two BFM mass flow meters.

These flow meters were connected to the DT90’s 4-20 mA analog inputs.

One monitored the digester output and

another measured the methane used by the boiler. Each flow meter had two 4-20 mA outputs: one for the gas flow and another for the temperature.

This data logger has 16 MB of non-volatile storage for up to 500,000 measurements, which provides extended autonomous data logging capability. Additionally, the device’s electronic circuits are designed to reduce the power supply requirements to a minimum, so that it can operate for up to 300 days using the internal battery pack. A small 2W solar panel connected to the data logger recharges the battery to provide continuous operation. The measurement rate can be set from once a second to once a day.

Users can remotely monitor the plant online via smartphone or tablet thanks to the Datataker Live Cloud Web Portal.

This service allows users to drag and drop widgets to configure and build custom dashboards that display critical information via a PC, smartphone or tablet.

For more information, visit: www.dataloggerinc.com

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

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WASTEWATER

Dauphin, MB meets its cold weather ammonia level requirements using a new technology

By Patrick D. Hill

W

inters in Dauphin, Manitoba, like much of northern Canada, are bitterly cold. Between December and February, temperatures routinely sink to an average low of -20°C. During this time, the city’s wastewater treatment lagoon is typically engulfed in almost a metre of ice.

That’s a problem, says Jeff Hume, utility foreman for Dauphin’s Utility department. Extremely low lagoon temperatures affect the microorganisms that keep ammonia levels in check. Come spring, when it’s time to start releasing eight months of effluent into the Vermillion River, Hume has been hard pressed to control ammonia levels.

“We are on a seasonal discharge schedule and only discharge four months out of the year, starting in April. The rest of the time, we store our influent. The challenge is our lagoon becomes anaerobic over the winter; our microorganisms freeze and are inactive. So, when we go to start releasing, ammonia is an issue,” Hume explains. “We definitely want and need to protect the local ecosystem.”

Dauphin is known for its many national and provincial parks and lakes.

Manitoba's highest point, Baldy Mountain, is located here. While the local economy is largely based on farming and ranching, Dauphin attracts a significant number of tourists. So, it’s important to protect the local splendour.

Dauphin Utility is responsible for maintaining the city’s wastewater operation for a local population of about 8,000 year-round residents. The facility consists of one lagoon with seven cells and three lift stations with a processing capacity of 3.8 MLD. For aeration, the facility employs three blowers and static tube aerators that release coarse bubbles. Dauphin’s aeration equipment is roughly 50 years old and there are breaks in the submerged aeration pipes. This means aer44 | December 2021

The pilot system was housed in a small building. Winter temperatures in Dauphin routinely sink to an average low of -20°C.

ation across the lagoon is inconsistent.

The equipment is also very energy intensive compared to newer technologies.

Energy use and staying within regulated ammonia levels is always on Hume’s mind. “Our system is so antiquated, it’s costing us a lot of money. Taxpayers want our facility to be more cost-effective, so we are looking at doing a big upgrade.”

REDUCING AND STABILIZING AMMONIA LEVELS Dauphin’s wastewater plant is regulated by Manitoba Conservation under the Environment Act of 1987. The Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Regulation of 2003 sets the standards for classification of water treatment and distribution systems. The average allowable level of ammonia in effluent is 4 mg/L. During the spring/summer discharge season of 2019, Dauphin was having dif-

ficulty meeting this number, experiencing an unacceptable range of 6-15 mg/L Although planning for a future upgrade of its wastewater treatment facility, ammonia removal took on a new urgency. Hume began researching options. He met Patrick Hill of Triplepoint Environmental at a wastewater conference and decided to get information from him on the company’s NitrOx lagoon ammonia removal system. The system excels at cold water ammonia removal, achieving an average effluent of 0.03 mg/L, well below Dauphin’s requirements.

“What I liked about the NitrOx system was the small footprint. Other solutions were quite large and choosing one of them would require us to purchase additional land. The NitrOx is compact and fits our current space, avoiding a capital expense,” Hume says. “We were assured

®

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

that NitrOx would work in our lagoon throughout the winter, so ammonia levels in our spring release would be a non-issue.”

THE ULTIMATE COLD WEATHER CHALLENGE The city and Triplepoint agreed to a two-year pilot of the NitrOx system, beginning in the fall of 2019 and concluding in the spring of 2021. The pilot required the installation of two 500litre tanks, each with an air compressor, for predetermined mixing, aeration and biomass. The plant’s microorganisms responsible for consuming organic waste, resided in the controlled environment of the tanks. Influent temperature would be thermally regulated when needed to ensure biological nitrification.

During the first winter of the pilot program, Triplepoint heated the water to 15°C to ensure the microorganisms made it through the winter and continued to process waste. In the spring of 2020, the plant’s ammonia level was below 2 mg/L,

weather and avoided the cost of heating the tanks.

“Going into the second winter with no heat, I had my doubts,” Hume says.

“But we achieved the same results. I was amazed it worked.”

One of the two 500-litre tanks used during the pilot program.

WHAT NEXT? Dauphin is in the process of identifying funding to upgrade their wastewater treatment plant. The city’s engineer did a cost analysis of NitrOx versus a competing system and determined that with NitrOx the city would achieve a savings of $3 million on the system and installation.

It is also projected that Dauphin would realize a 30% savings in energy costs. With the NitrOx system requiring just three hours of maintenance per year, those costs would be lower as well.

which is half of the required level.

Buoyed by the results, it was decided not to heat the water during the second winter of the pilot. It was speculated that the insulating properties of the ice and snow on the lagoon would keep the water in the tanks warm enough to sustain the microorganisms, regardless of Patrick D. Hill is with Triplepoint the outside temperature.

Environmental. Email: It was a big risk, but on February 28, patrick@lagoons.com 2021, the plant’s ammonia level was 2 mg/L. The system had beaten the cold

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December 2021 | 45

WASTEWATER

Using a camera nozzle and chain cutter to efficiently handle blocked sewers

W

hen municipal sewer or storm lines become blocked, the trouble typically began with a growth of tree roots that eventually stopped the free flow of wastewater. Blockages can also occur due to accumulated hard mineral deposits, grease, silt, or debris. The resulting blockage can lead to sanitary sewer overflows, which can cause environmental and property damage.

The skillful use of high-powered nozzles with forward penetrating jets can sometimes dislodge partial obstructions in smaller pipe. However, resolving the worst cases in large pipe requires the use of special heavy-duty chain cutter nozzles that can remove even a “wall of roots”.

“For smaller clogs a contractor can use

forward-penetrating nozzle jets to clear it. A mini chain cutter might be required for light to medium roots. But, any pipe 1,300 mm or larger with heavy roots or heavy mineral deposits will need a tool with more power and capability,” says Dan Story, operations manager at KEG Technologies, a manufacturer of sewer and storm line products, including nozzles, chain cutters and camera nozzle systems.

Contractors must be cautious, however, when placing cutters into sewer lines to avoid severing utility lines.

“Before a root cutter is inserted into the line, it should be inspected by camera first to prevent cutting a gas or power line and causing sparking and explosion,” says Story. “The most efficient way to inspect the area is with a camera noz-

zle that takes video while cleaning.”

Although a variety of visual inspection options are available, not all are economical in terms of time and labour.

Sending a CCTV camera crew to acquire video in a sewer line is common. However, this usually involves taking them off other tasks, such as documenting pipe condition.

The sewer cleaning team must also wait for the CCTV crew to arrive and take video before the source and severity of the blockage is identified. Inevitably, this leads to additional production downtime.

Portable video recording devices, such as a nozzle and camera mounted inside of a carrier exist, but are typically not reliable. Some camera nozzles are specifically designed and integrated for

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When using cutters to clear blockages in sewer lines, the line should be inspected by a camera first, to avoid severing utility lines.

while recording high-definition video. Only a jetter hose connection is required, no cables or wires. The camera captures the video in memory. With Wi-Fi capability, the files are automatically date and time stamped for easy downloading to mobile phones, tablets and computers for viewing.

The unit also allows videos to be emailed or sent to the cloud for sharing with supervisors that may need to provide input before chain cutter nozzles are utilized.

When a severe blockage is identified, chain cutter nozzles are used. The most common type are hydraulic base cutters that use the velocity of the nozzle’s water to spin the cutting blade.

While relatively inexpensive, hydraulic base cutters often do not supply sufficient power or torque to cut heavy roots or hard mineral deposits. In thick root systems, the units may not get the job done and can also stall or seize up.

Chain cutters that utilize the power of high-efficiency nozzle water pressure provide much more torque and can cut through a thick root mass. When high-pressure water enters the chain cutter nozzle chamber, it is directed to spin the cutting chains at high velocity with enough torque to avoid seizing.

reliable video capture during cleaning. As an example, KEG’s KleenSight camera-nozzle system offers operators the ability to clean sewer and storm lines 360 degrees while recording upright image video, as well as quickly assessing the line without having to use a CCTV camera truck.

For more information,visit: www.kegtechnologies.net For clear, reliable viewing, the device has a self-leveling camera head and provides its own illumination with 80 LEDs

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December 2021 | 47

COMMENTARY

The passion to save our water ecosystems can positively impact those around us

By Charlotte White

W

hen I was 12 years old, I saw a presentation in school on microplastics affecting our water system. I was horrified, scared, and knew something needed to be done. I told my parents over dinner about this new horrific revelation that turned my entire 12-year existence upside down.

I needed to create a presentation for school and my mom said she knew I needed to speak with Barry Orr, a water conservationist for the City of London, Ontario, and a municipal enforcement officer for wastewater management. Little did I know how one phone call and a visit to the City of London would change my life, my beliefs, and the lives of those around me over the next four years and years to come.

I quickly realized the decisions I made every day, from flushing the toilet to drinking tap water to consuming food, impacted the water systems. Barry Orr’s mantra, “toilets are not garbage cans” and his campaign to educate the public changed my life. I was thirsty for knowledge, and I needed to know more.

I needed to save the world! But how does a 12-year-old kid get people to listen? And not just any people…stubborn old people? People set in their ways, such as leaving the tap running while they brush their teeth, dumping their kid’s goldfish down the toilet and draining their fats and oils into the sink with “a little hot water” to wash it down?

Well, that is something I am still working on. My message to them now is that, since we all need it, water conservation is the responsibility of all of us. But, in 2016 I had not figured it out yet, I was still learning.

In 2016, I went to visit the Water Waste Management division in the City of London. My naïve curiosity fueled my passion and a need to change the world began at the very moment when I met 48 | December 2021

Barry Orr and Charlotte White touring the City of London’s Greenway Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Barry, a man with incredible knowledge and more passion about water and water conservation than anyone I had ever known.

Barry took me on a tour of the plant and showed me experiments he was working on and some of the most horrific sights I had ever seen. This included a “fatberg” that was removed from the sewer and was bigger than a six-foot-tall man.

The fatberg was made of everything people are not supposed to put down the drain, like wipes, feminine hygiene products, fats and grease, and so much more. Barry took me into the depths of the wastewater treatment facility and I saw items carelessly flushed into the sewers that were truly inconceivable.

After that experience, I felt the need to educate everyone, like Barry does, on

the harmful effects of plastics and all the things contaminating our water and impacting wildlife and our environment.

Barry must have seen hope, a light, a young person who could make a difference, as he invited me to speak about my newfound passion at the World Environment Day on June 6, 2017.

I shared a quote I came up with that Barry proudly tweeted to the world. His tweet read: “This quote from a Grade 7 student has made my day! ‘Water is a part of us. If we don’t take care of it, it can’t take care of us.'"

My presentation on World Environmental Day and meeting my newfound heroes, the Water Brothers, solidified my quest to save our water systems and ecosystems. Little did I know that this would lead me to a new life of vegetarianism a year later. When I learned about

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

the environmental impact and water use that goes into producing meat, the decision I needed to make was clear. The more knowledge I gained the stronger my passion grew.

Now, my greatest challenge was educating those around me. The one thing so many people take for granted is our water systems.

If we all need water, then it is completely necessary for everyone to assume responsibility. Everyone needs to learn about what can and cannot go down the drain, and about what can and cannot be washed into our sewers.

Every action counts as there are around 7.9 billion people on Earth, and each one relies on water. If everyone has the mentality “someone else will do it”, then there will be no change.

Fast forward to 2021 and reflecting on the past five years of my life. I became the eco minister in my public school.

I ran various educational campaigns within the school to promote the use of reusable water bottles, decrease the use

of disposable plastics, educate those on the effects of straws and stop the universal car wash graduation campaign.

I endlessly hounded my family to eliminate plastics in our home. I shortened my showers, turned off the tap when my family brushed their teeth and adopted the good old cottage ways of “if it’s yellow let it mellow”.

I stopped my parents from putting dairy down the sink and guilted my mom every time she took a plastic bag at the store. I inspired my younger siblings to follow in my footsteps and they assumed my role as eco minister when I left public school, carrying on the legacy.

The bottom line? My passion to save our water ecosystem has positively impacted those around me. I have made a difference, having changed the way my family shops, cooks, uses water, and disposes of food waste.

My friends may be annoyed at times when I criticize them for taking a plastic straw or buying a bottle of water.

But, deep down I know I have made an

impact on them too.

My mission is ongoing. It has now become a lifestyle and a part of who I am. My passion is even stronger now because it is my belief system. I hope to continue my journey formally by pursuing studies in environmental sciences at university.

I am now three and a half years into my new life as a vegetarian and hope to impact my family to make the same changes as well. If one single kid can change the way her school, family and friends live, imagine what would happen if everyone took responsibility.

Charlotte White is a Grade 12 high school student from Markham, Ontario.

For more information about water system awareness, contact Barry Orr. Email: borr@london.ca

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December 2021 | 49

WATER

Using hydrogeological flow modelling to identify sources of hepatitis outbreaks

By Florian T. H. Kleinhoven Kincaid

R

esearchers have recorded multiple outbreaks of hepatitis A in Michigan since the 1950s. Between 2016 and 2020, outbreaks of hepatitis A most frequently occurred in southern mainland Michigan. Despite these events primarily occurring around metropolitan areas, such as Detroit and Grand Rapids, environmental monitoring revealed a possible connection to agricultural runoff from coastal farmland.

Reviewing prior literature showed that the hepatitis A outbreak in 2016 may have been related to a previously unexplored connection with biological groundwater contamination. We, therefore, employed a hydrogeological flow modelling approach to identify areas where residents would be at comparatively high risk of contracting hepatitis A. In the future, we propose that legislators use a similar method of assessment to identify regions to launch cost-ef- U.S. cases of gastroenteritis recorded between the Great Depression and the early 2000s per fective, targeted, and impactful public 100,000 population equivalent. health campaigns.

DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has historically implemented disease monitoring and prevention initiatives. These campaigns primarily achieved prompt identification of hepatitis outbreaks through patient interviews. The intrinsically biased nature of the MDHHS’s interview-based approach to epidemiology resulted in the homeless, incarcerated, and drug-addicted being identified as the highest-risk societal groups.

The greatest difficulty in disease prevention lies in the tricky nature of diagnosing viral diseases. Hepatitis A is characterized by symptoms that may occur due to a variety of illnesses. It is, therefore, challenging to discern in the early stages.

The imprecise nature of current analytical methods further impacts the reliabil50 | December 2021

ity of diagnostic data. Moreover, underdiagnosing mild cases of hepatitis A likely resulted in a radically underestimated representation of the factual incidence.

We thus broadened the diagnostic scope to include general symptoms and characteristics of hepatitis A. The disease profile associated with hepatitis A is more commonly referred to as acute gastrointestinal inflammation (AGI) or inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS).

AGI or IBS are also known as gastroenteritis, and encompass symptoms including anorexia, nausea and malaise.

environment is challenging due to the highly mutagenic properties of RNA. Hepatitis A may be transmitted from one patient to the next by direct person-to-person contact or through an intermediate vector such as food or drinking water. Drinking water is often prepared from surface water sources or freshwater from groundwater wells. Preventing environmental spills of fecal matter is, therefore, paramount to avoiding widespread outbreaks of hepatitis.

Untreated sewage spills have frequently occurred near Detroit. However, these events have only consistently RISK FACTORS been reported since 2014. The latest spill Hepatitis A is caused by a group of occurred in early 2020, when a Flint pathogens collectively referred to as sewage treatment facility released over enteroviruses. These are small viruses 87,000 cubic metres of wastewater into made up of rudimentary genetic material the environment. Most aquifer systems called ribonucleic acid (RNA). Quanti- worldwide are recharged by surface fying the presence of these viruses in the water from lakes, rivers, and streams. It Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

is, therefore, possible that consuming untreated groundwater is a primary culprit of gastroenteritis.

In 2020, the Michigan Environmental Assistance Centre’s Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance Division reported that groundwater is commonly utilized for irrigation of food crops as well as direct freshwater supply. The risk of groundwater recharge contaminated with fecal matter entering the water table, therefore, warranted further investigation.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Groundwater quality monitoring was successfully applied by researchers in Georgia, Kentucky and Wisconsin in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. These projects recognized untreated well water consumption as a culprit of hepatitis A transmission. In many instances, boiling water before consumption dramatically lowered the number of infections, further supporting this thesis. Borchardt, et al. concluded in a 2004 study that sewage disposal into surface water streams might constitute the root cause of fecal groundwater contamination.

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) pursues their mission to protect Michigan's environment and public health through effective management of air, water, land, and energy resources. EGLE's Water Resources Division (WRD) aims to protect and monitor Michigan's swimmable, fishable, and consumable water resources.

Between 2014 and 2018, LimnoTech and White Water Associates collected microbial samples from surface sediment under the oversight of the WRD from 23 of Michigan's major watershed systems in 16 of Michigan’s counties (Figure 1). These efforts focused on assessing to what extent fecal pollution was likely present in Michigan’s waters.

We investigated whether animal and human waste from sewage spills and surface water runoff could contribute to hepatitis A transmission by consuming untreated groundwater. To that end, we applied a hydrogeological flow model to calculate the downstream viral particle concentration from a point source of entry to identify high-risk areas in the state.

Finally, we interpreted the modelled www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

Figure 1: Sediment E. coli assessment sites organized by county in Michigan.

groundwater quality data using a quantitative risk assessment framework to determine the probability of infection from contaminated groundwater source consumption.

ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS The performance of the hydrogeological flow modelling approach relied on various key indicators. Firstly, identifying a suitable environmental indicator to ascertain the presence of fecal pollution was paramount to facilitating efficient, large-scale, field-based assessment. Secondly, the environmental indicator needed to be able to provide adequate estimates of the pathogen concentration in groundwater.

Indicator organisms are organisms whose abundance is characterized by a strong correlation with enteric pathogens and utilized as an environmental measure of fecal pollution. Microbial surface quality measurements often include high E. coli, a bacterium closely related to mammalian gut flora, including human intestinal colonies. We established the viability of long-term indicator organism survival in the natural environment through the combination of bio-environmental monitoring and

chemical analysis.

The highest indicator organism concentrations tended to correlate with proximity to sewer outlets. Moreover, we noted considerable effects of tidal waves on pathogen concentration consistency in coastal areas.

Significant dilution due to meteorological events may also have affected the reliability of microorganism concentration measurements. Furthermore, chemical runoff from anthropogenic infrastructure in direct proximity to the sampling sites may have contributed to underestimated pathogen concentration in the underlying aquifer due to decreased indicator organism survival.

HYDROGEOLOGY Michigan’s lithology consists primarily of loose sediment underlain by highly porous sand- and limestone bedrock. As a result, high transmissivities, a quantitative measure for the degree to which the lithology would allow groundwater to pass, are found along the south and northeastern regions of mainland Michigan. Groundwater recharge, therefore, likely originates from surface water in such geologically porous areas. Natucontinued overleaf…

December 2021 | 51

WATER rally, groundwater recharge could also contribute to the subsurface transport of biological contaminants.

Retention of biological contaminants due to various physicochemical processes is highly likely. The filtration effect of groundwater transit through aquifer porous media causes a portion of the fecal pollution to be retained in the mineral’s matrix. As a result, the risk of exposure to contracting hepatitis from groundwater withdrawals would peak along with its travel time and distance due to its flow velocity. Figure 2 shows the most significant retention peaks in the catchments characterized by the highest risk of exposure to hepatitis.

RISK ASSESSMENT We interpreted the hydrogeological quality data collected using the mathematical model using the Rose-Gerba risk-based approach, better known as a quantitative microbial risk assessment Figure 2: Enterovirus breakout curves for highest-risk regions in mainland Michigan and Keweenaw (QMRA), as a comprehensive method to Peninsula. study the distribution, and possible control measures of communicable diseases.

QMRAs are resource-efficient and effective in disease monitoring and prevention due to the lack of attrition found '

'

in extensive epidemiological studies, such as those employed by the MDHHS

after 2016. Furthermore, the QMRA offers an ethical approach to prompt dis

ease control and prevention in response to the 2016 outbreak. !' #' !& (!' ' % ' % %#"' ' % %#"' !' #' !& (!' ' % Our QMRA focused on identifying in

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failed to identify the residents of exactly !&#$ $ ( ( # $ !' ( % # &" which counties were exposed to the highest risk of contracting communicable diseases.

In general, our results indicated that the state could be divided into five separate zones with different levels of risk on the mainland and the peninsula. The highest risk of exposure to hepatitis A per population equivalent occurred 52 | December 2021

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

in the northern counties of Michigan, where aquaculture is ubiquitous. Contrary to our expectations, the risk exposures were much higher in areas where agriculture was prevalent compared to the densely populated urban areas.

One potential explanation for this disparity may be that contact with untreated groundwater may be more prevalent in rural regions compared to cities such as Detroit or Lansing. Additionally, public water supply would likely pose a significantly reduced risk due to the federal water quality standards with which utility companies are required to comply. Evidence of higher concentrations of bovine E. coli in sediment samples from coastal areas further supports this hypothesis.

Since the early 2000s, Michigan's economy has been reliant on heavy industry and crop farming. The latter is situated mainly in and around the Kalamazoo watershed in central southern mainland Michigan. Large quantities of agricultural waste are discharged into the environment every day. On the other hand, fish farming is found along the northern coast of mainland Michigan, in and around Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, as well as in some dispersed locations in Lake Superior to the North.

What remains of Michigan’s heavy industry after the end of the economic boom of the 1950s is still most prevalent in and around the metropolitan areas of Detroit and Lansing. The presence of human gut flora in surface sediments, combined with the relatively low risk of exposure per population equivalent, leads us to ascertain that the introduction of chemical pollution from industrial runoff may harm the viability of fecal pathogens in the groundwater environment.

CONTROL AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES Disease control and prevention are essential to safeguard public health.

However, the effectiveness of prevention strategies such as vaccination campaigns is marred by challenges, including vaccine non-compliance and unregistered migration. Monitoring is nevertheless paramount to discern the relevant routes of transmission and predict www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

Figure 3: Risk exposure to contracting gastroenteritis and hepatitis A in Michigan between 2014 and 2018, expressed per 10,000 population equivalent.

prospective modes of contamination.

The highest risks of exposure were in northern mainland Michigan and on the Keweenaw Peninsula (Figure 3).

We concluded that with the successful inoculation of around three-quarters of the most vulnerable demographics, the bulk of short-term hepatitis outbreaks could feasibly be averted. We proposed launching a vaccination campaign in these areas to inoculate 41,000 residents over 10-years to prevent future hepatitis outbreaks. We estimate the cost to be between two to five million dollars (US).

This expense would represent a negligible portion of Michigan’s estimated gross state product of nearly US$500 billion in 2020, reported by the Department of the Treasury.

provide a viable and cost-effective means to identify sources of groundwater contamination contributing to hepatitis outbreaks. However, rather than continuing data collection of current monitoring sites over extended periods, data should be collected in dispersed locations to augment data density and continually reduce uncertainty.

Alternatively, future efforts might focus on identifying more exact methods to quantify the presence of pathogens in the environment than sequencing E. coli strains. While these bacteria are specifically present in the human gut and correlate strongly with fecal pathogens, their abundance is also affected by myriad environmental factors.

Nevertheless, the hydrogeological flow modelling approach applied in Michigan can be replicated successfully in comparable lithologies around the globe.

FUTURE INITIATIVES No concrete plans exist to continue the expansion of our monitoring efforts in Michigan. The proposed method nev- Florian T. H. Kleinhoven Kincaid is with ertheless offers a uniquely well-suited the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. opportunity to identify more possible Email: kincaid.florian@asclepiusuhs.com sources of pathogen transmission. Hydrogeological flow modelling approaches

December 2021 | 53

WATER

District metered areas: why accuracy matters

By Vincent Favre

I

n addition to the wastage, non-revenue water is costly to a utility’s bottom line. As such, reducing losses from drinking water distribution systems is becoming a priority, and regulations are slowly being implemented in Canada to reflect this.

The American Water Works Association and the International Water Association published a water audit table showing a detailed breakdown of a water system production/consumption and losses. (See Figure 1) Using accurate flowmeters for the blue section of Figure 1 is never questioned in our industry and the same applies to apparent losses (source, residential, commercial and industrial metering).

Real loss quantification, on the other hand, has been approached with lower expectations, mostly due to flowmeter limitations and industry habits.

Data repeatability naturally became one key feature with district metered area (DMA) monitoring and minimum night flow trending (MNF) as accuracy was not achievable with battery powered flowmeters.

Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measured value to a standard or known value. Repeatability refers to the closeness of the agreement between the results of successive measurements of the same measure, when carried out under the same conditions of measurement.

When managing a DMA with one single entry point and for MNF tracking purposes, employing a flowmeter with strong repeatability, (but not necessarily accuracy) could be acceptable.

Experiences across North America have proven that single point measurement is not possible, due to fire safety regulations, water quality concerns, distribution system design, etc. DMAs are therefore regularly set with multiple inlets and outlets. This creates a situation where 54 | December 2021

Figure 1: IWA/AWWA Water Audit Method: Water Balance.

repeatability cannot be the main performance feature for choosing flowmeters.

New approaches such as virtual DMAs, where there is no boundary valve closure, increase of monitoring points with flow, pressure, or noise data remote collection, require accurate and repeatable flow data as a base for all the topend analysis. Even the most advanced algorithm/AI cannot turn weak data into a reliable and brilliant model.

Multiple flow monitoring points are necessary when designing DMAs (virtual or not). The next step is choosing the right flowmeter for flow data collection and key performance indicator (KPI) tracking. This includes minimum night flow infrastructure leakage index, (ILI), water losses/connection/day, etc.

Historically, DMA flow monitoring used either in-line battery powered magmeters, or single point insertion magmeters.

If one conducts a broad market survey of in-line magmeters, a few key points emerge: • High cost of installation (unnecessary interruption of supply).

• No indication of accuracy on low velocities (night flow hydraulic conditions).

• No indication of lowest stable velocity detectable.

• Need to reduce the pipe size to increase the velocity and somehow overcome the two previous points. Thus, creating higher pressure head loss and consequently increasing the amount of energy needed to supply water through-

out the network (rise in CO2 emission for pumped systems).

As mentioned previously, a large proportion of DMA flow monitoring applications require self-contained devices.

The market expectation of long battery life comes with a drawback which is rarely raised during the flowmeter selection. How often are measurements taken in order to maintain several years of battery life? The answer is definitely not continuous real-time output.

Having a slow sampling rate automatically impacts the flowmeter accuracy, stability, repeatability and also, its ability to catch rapid flow changes.

Single point insertion magmeters and in-line magmeters use two electrodes to measure flow. With in-line magmeters, water is going through a tube and the electrodes are embedded within the wall at specific locations (9 and 3 o’clock).

As for single point insertion magmeters, the sensor is inserted inside the pipe and the electrodes are positioned to be in the centre line. It is worth noting that another type of installation (called 1/8th) is possible and mostly used for larger pipe when the centre line cannot be reached safely (high velocities, probe too short) but with a high degree of inaccuracy.

Manufacturers follow the ISO norm 7145-1982 (BS1042 section 2.2) and all state the fact that a fully developed velocity profile (Figure 2) is needed to meet accuracy, repeatability and stability claims.

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

Based on the hypothesis that the site velocity profile meets the previous requirement, the sensor will measure the maximum velocity (centre line). It will then apply an insertion factor (blockage factor depending on probe size). A profile factor (value between 0.85 and 0.875) to calculate the average velocity is then used to determine the flow rate (calibration and linearization applied to flow value).

If we now consider all of the above in a real-life distribution system, we then have a fair number of assumptions to make in order to confidently use flow data coming from a single point insertion magmeter: Is my profile fully developed? This is unlikely in most applications, due to manufacturer specified upstream straight pipe distance not adhered to, old metallic pipe with internal corrosion, profile distorted, etc.

Performing a full velocity profile should help – Two more assumptions must be made. Velocity won’t change during the process. The profile remains the same at all times, which is not true in almost all water applications.

The sensor is correctly installed in the centre line – There is a possibility for error if the installation procedure is not followed precisely.

Having a plastic or a smooth pipe with a very long straight distance is one of the only situations which can provide a fully developed symmetrical profile. With other types of pipe, several critical milestones must be met on-site (similar to a laboratory hydraulic test rig) to guarantee proper hydraulic conditions.

As with in-line magmeters, battery powered single point insertion meters can only sample at best every 30 seconds to guarantee a decent battery life. Due to the location of the electrodes, they tend to measure lower velocity. Some manufacturers have claims down to ± 2 cm/s or ± 0.065 ft/s. But what about the accuracy and stability at low flows?

In reference to ISO norm 7145-1982, accuracy is commonly shown as ± 2% of the reading value or ± 2mm/s (± 0.0065 ft/s) whichever is the greater. This means that manufacturers can decide how they display their sensor’s accuracy. By doing the math, 10 cm/s or 0.32 ft/s appears to be the trigger point where ± 2mm/s or ± 0.0065 ft/s becomes more favorable. At 5 cm/s or 0.16 ft/s, accuracy is ± 4% with high instability. At 2 cm/s or 0.065 ft/s, accuracy is ±10% with high instability.

Those accuracies are based on velocity and they get much worse if we factor in flow rates especially for single point meters due to velocity profile distortions at low velocities.

Therefore, choosing the right DMA flowmeter is critical to the data quality and reliability for future analysis and processing.

FLOW-TRONIC’s equal area multi-point insertion flowmeter can be used for many water system flow applications. The rugged, solid-state TORPEE-MAG averaging insertion electromagnetic flow sensors with electrodes positioned at Equal Area of flow and sensing electrodes pairs calibrated individually, are made for those accurate and reliable flow measurements. Other features include: • Electrodes number and positioning facilitate installation in most pipe layout for optimum results.

• Accurate distorted flow profile measurement by positioning the sensor in plane with the distortion. www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

Velocity Profiles Turbulent Flow Laminar Flow NR <2,000

Smooth Pipe NR=10⁷ , f=0.012 V Roughe Pipe NR=10⁷ , f=0.04

f = friction factor NR = Reynolds Number

Increasing Velocity Pipe

Laminar Flow

Pipe

Turbulent Flow

Figure 2: Velocity profiles.

TORPEE-MAG measured areas. Area 1= Area 2= Area 3= Area 4= Area 5

• Full traverse makes sensor positioning error impossible, eliminating the human error aspect of any install.

• No site calibration (velocity profiling) required.

• Graphite electrodes for high stability at low flows.

• Bi-directional sensor with same accuracy in both directions.

• ± 0.5% of Reading Value ± zero stability from 0.25 m/s or 0.82 ft/s to 6 m/s or 19.68 ft/s.

• ± 0.8% of Reading Value ± zero stability from 0.02 m/s or 0.065 ft/s to 0.25 m/s or 0.82 ft/s.

• IP68/NEMA 6P sensor which can be permanently submerged under 10 m (32.8 ft) of water and transmitter (tested to 10 m or 32.8 ft of water during 10 days).

• Two seconds default sampling with three-year battery life.

These are site replaceable with off-the-shelf alkaline batteries.

Vincent Favre is with Flow-Tronic S.A., who are represented in Canada by ACG-Envirocan. For more information, email: sales@acg-envirocan.ca

December 2021 | 55

PRODUCT & SERVICE SHOWCASE mance (96% efficiency). It offers ultradeep installation, up to 7.5m burial; vehicle loading up to 60t (HS-25 loading); enhanced access for cleanout/inspection – every row is inspectable; and, improved logistics (up to 10 – 15% more blocks per ACOUSTIC INSPECTION container). Can handle heavy loads, such TECHNOLOGY as crane operation areas, and special Get the data you need to prioritize applications, such as container terminals, cleaning and CCTV efforts with the heavy machine operating yards, etc. award-winning SL-RAT® Sewer Line BARR Plastics Rapid Assessment Tool. Use acoustic T: 800-665-4499 inspection technology to scan your E: info@barrplastics.com collection system, quickly and efficiently, W: www.barrplastics.com for blockages. Improve asset management, while saving time, water and money.

Represented by ACG-Envirocan T: 905-856-1414 E: sales@acg-envirocan.ca W: www.acg-envirocan.ca, www.ratsinc.ca

MULTI-DIAPHRAGM DOSING PUMP

SMART ELECTRIC ACTUATORS

Offered in both smart and basic options, the compact, lightweight Series 19 actuator by Asahi/America is available in four operating configurations: on/off, failsafe, modulating, and modulating failsafe; and three sizes to meet valve torque requirements. Compatible with most PLCs, the Series 19 is an ideal choice for OEMs and skid manufacturers where space is at a premium, but power cannot be sacrificed.

Asahi/America T: 800-343-3618 E: asahi@asahi-america.com W: www.asahi-america.com

The CHEM-FEED® CD1 Multi-Diaphragm Dosing Pump offers a top performing solution to the problem of dosing with gas forming chemicals, such as peracetic acid or sodium hypochlorite. The CD1 Dual Diaphragm Hyperlink Drive Technology pumps chemicals continuously, is self-priming, and will not vapour lock. CD1 is engineered for zero maintenance, including the patented ultra-durable diaphragm, called DiaFlex®. This exclusive single layer diaphragm has been designed to last the life of the pump.

Blue-White Industries T: 714-893-8529 F: 714-894-9492 E: info@blue-white.com W: www.blue-white.com

pump chemicals that off gas, including peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite, with no vapour lock and no lost prime.

The advanced features of the M4 include a highly responsive and intuitive 5” display screen which is easily operated when wearing work gloves, firmware that can be field updated, and easy to attach M12 watertight connectors.

Blue-White Industries T: 714-893-8529 F: 714-894-9492 E: info@blue-white.com W: www.blue-white.com

ROTARY LOBE PUMP

Boerger’s core product, the Blueline Rotary Lobe Pump, is a self-priming, valveless, positive displacement pump delivering flow rates up to 7,000 gpm.

This heavy-duty pump has dry run capabilities and is often used for loading and unloading by reversing the flow direction. Available in multiple configurations to satisfy a wide range of pumping requirements, BLUEline rotary lobe pumps offer less maintenance and more reliability.

Boerger T: 612-435-7300 E: america@boerger.com W: www.boerger.com

BLOCK WATER FROM ACCESSING ASSETS

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

The new Ecobloc SMART series of stormwater infiltration modules replaces Maxx & Inspect Flex with superior perfor56 | December 2021

PRECISELY DOSE GASEOUS CHEMICALS

The low shearing pumping action of the FLEXFLO®M4 peristaltic dosing pump allows it to gently and precisely

Road erosion, premature concrete failure or water ingress into wastewater systems? Denso’s 12 "LT tape has been proven for nearly a century to block water from accessing assets. It won’t harden or crack and is the perfect solution to protect concrete and prevent I&I. Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

921-HCTC

5

> 17,600 gallons @ 2 gpm

931-HCTC

5

> 26,400 gallons @ 3 gpm

> 99,900 liters @ 11.4

941-HCTC

5

> 35,200 gallons @ 4 gpm

> 133,200 liters @ 15.

> 66,600 liters @ 7.6

Warning - Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unkno

PRODUCT & SERVICE SHOWCASE

Coconut Tropi-CarbTM Carbon C

Filtration is made easy & convenient combining with Harmsco’s HIF, Involute®, BC and FSSS fil

Applied in minutes, requiring minimal surface preparation, no mixing or curing, it can be buried immediately.

Denso North America T: 416-291-3435 E: sales@densona-ca.com W: www.densona.com

Force Flow T: 800-893-6723 E: info@forceflow.com W: www.forceflowscales.com

Harmsco Involute®

Coconut Tropi-Carb® Carbon Cartridges

PIPE AND PRECAST PRODUCTS

BATTERY-POWERED CELLULAR FLOW METER

Endress+Hauser’s new Promag W 800 battery-powered electromagnet flow meter with cellular communications provides consistently accurate process and freshwater measurement in remote areas, even where there are no power or ground-based data lines. It provides highly accurate measurement with maintenance-free operation and worldwide data transfer via cellular radio for up to 15 years. It even supports integrated cloud connectivity.

Endress+Hauser Canada T: 800-668-3199 F: 905-681-9444 E: info.ca.sc@endress.com W: www.ca.endress.com

Forterra is a leading manufacturer of pipe and precast products. Our products improve quality of life, provide sustainable infrastructure and help communities grow and thrive. A specialized technical sales force, including engineers and field representatives, delivers a high degree of customer service and tailored solutions. Forterra delivers industry-leading service, quality, innovation and commitment. Our mission is to build the longest lasting infrastructure for our communities’ today and tomorrow.

Forterra T: 519-622-7574 F: 519-621-8233 E: canada@forterrabp.com W: www.forterrabp.com

ACTIVATED CARBON LIQUID FILTER CARTRIDGES

Note: This publication is to be used as a guide. The data within has been obtained from many sour completeness of this data. Changes to the data can be made without notification. Temperature, Pres affect performance in unknown ways. Limited Warranty: Harmsco warrants their products to be fre and applications contemplated by Buyer shall be the sole responsibility of Buyer. The end user/installe applications. End users should perform their own tests to determine suitability for each application.

HARMSCO Filtration Products Harmsco Filtration Products proudly 7169 49th Terrace North, Riviera Beach, FL 33407 (561) 848-9628 • Toll-free: (800) 327-3248 • Fax: (561 offers the largest selection of 5-micron activated carbon liquid filter cartridges.

The Tropi-Carb® HCTC Family of 2-3/4” diameter cartridges offers the highest industry standards for removal of chlorine, disinfection byproducts (DBP), as well as taste and odour. For 5-micron activated carbon liquid filtration solutions up to 1,680 gpm per single compact unit.

Harmsco Filtration Products T: 800-327-3248 E: sales@harmsco.com W: www.harmsco.com ®

HEAT EXCHANGERS

ACCURATELY MONITOR IBC TOTES & DAY TANKS

The CHEM-SCALE™ and TOTE BIN SCALE™ from Force Flow allow operators to accurately monitor chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, polymer and fluoride when stored and fed from day tanks and IBC type totes. The systems prevent over- and underfeed conditions, and enable the documentation of amount fed. Available with the advanced Wizard 4000™ Digital Indicator, the SOLO™ G2 or the Century™ Hydraulic Dial. www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

CHLORINE EMERGENCY SHUTOFF

The Gemini™ Emergency Shutoff System adds a new level of safety to your gas chlorine feed system. Designed specifically for dual 150 lb 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.

Halogen Valve Systems T: 949-261-5030 E: info@halogenvalve.com W: www.halogenvalve.com

HRS specializes in custom-designed corrugated tube and scraped surface heat exchangers, where both heat transfer and efficiency are increased and fouling is minimized, making it possible to supply more compact and economical heat exchangers. HRS also offers a wide range of standard products specifically developed for the industries we serve, manufactured from stainless steel as standard, but with other materials also available.

HRS Heat Exchangers T: 770-726-3540 E: info@us.hrs-he.com W: www.hrs-heatexchangers.com/us/ December 2021 | 57

PRODUCT & SERVICE SHOWCASE

SERVICE-IN-PLACE PUMP

CATCH BASIN INSERT

The LittaTrap Catch Basin Insert is a low-cost, innovative technology that prevents plastic and trash from reaching our waterways. Designed to be easily retrofitted into new and existing stormwater drains, the LittaTrap is installed inside storm drains and when it rains, catches plastic and trash before it can reach our streams, rivers and oceans.

Imbrium Systems T: 800-565-4801 E: info@imbriumsystems.com W: www.imbriumsystems.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

58 | December 2021

NETZSCH’s maintenance-friendly Full Service-in-Place (FSIP®) NEMO® progressive cavity pump has a large inspection cover. Open the pump cavity on-site, dismantle all rotating parts and replace them without removing the pump from the pipe assembly. Capacities and pressures are equal to the same size classic NEMO progressing cavity pump – known for continuous, pressure-stable, gentle and low-pulsation conveyance of almost any substance.

NETZSCH Canada T: 705-797-8426 F: 705-797-8427 E: ntc@netzsch.com W: www.netzsch.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 T: 647-923-8244 E: aron@proaquasales.com W: www.proaquasales.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-inplace 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 T: 647-923-8244 E: aron@proaquasales.com W: www.proaquasales.com

CONTROL CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER OR SOIL GASES

Waterloo Barrier® is a containment wall for the control of contaminated groundwater or soil gases. Formed of steel sheet piling with interlocking joints that are sealed in-place in the ground, the Barrier offers a long service life, exceptionally low hydraulic conductivity, and documentable construction QA/QC. Installation is clean and rapid with minimal site disturbance.

Waterloo Barrier Inc. T: 519-856-1352 E: info@waterloo-barrier.com W: www.waterloo-barrier.com

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

ES&E NEWS REGINA CREEK RECOVERING AFTER WWTP UPGRADES

water services filled from the booster North Clear Well at the city’s water treatstation at the city’s treatment plant. ment plant, an investigation revealed After Regina’s Wascana Creek was However, this change meant the return that a diesel fuel leak from years ago may found to be one of the most polluted of a do-not-consume order, meaning it have infiltrated the system. streams in Canada, the city spent $175 could only be used for laundry, bathing Iqaluit’s 8,300 residents were forced to million on wastewater treatment plant and dish washing. buy bottled water, turn to city-run filling upgrades that included biological nutriSince the state of emergency began on stations or draw their own water from ent removal, an endeavour that has so October 12 over the presence of hydro- the river. far cut levels of total dissolved nitrogen carbons in the holding tanks for the continued overleaf… by as much as 85%.

The University of Regina has been tracking the creek’s recovery from eutrophiDelivering clean water solutions for 60 years cation, caused by excess inputs of nutrients from the city, farms and industry.

Dr. Peter Leavitt, biologist with the University of Regina said that while the removal of phosphorus from wastewater is known to reduce the production B a rri e • B e l l e v i l l e • B ra m pt o n • C o l l i n gw o o d • K i n gs t o n • O t t awa AINLEYGROUP.COM of blue-green algae in lakes and streams, “this is the first time that scientists have Celebrating 75 Years of Engineering Excellence shown that nitrogen removal can also reduce freshwater eutrophication.”

Improvements continued over the length of the 10 year study, which looked at the three years before the wastewater system upgrades and the three years after.

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DIESEL FUEL LEAK MAY HAVE CONTAMINATED IQALUIT’S WATER

Safe, reliable, sustainable WATER AND WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS Visit www.bv.com to learn more

Canadian Armed Forces members unloading equipment in Iqaluit. Photo credit: Canadian Armed Forces

Canadian Armed Forces Operation LENTUS was put in place in Iqaluit in response to the city’s state of emergency over drinking water contamination, which began in early October.

Some two dozen military personnel were using mobile units to pump, pressurize and filter water from the Sylvia Grinnell River using reverse osmosis.

However, the system was challenged by temperatures approaching -15°C, and at times ice had to be broken, and hoses thawed, to keep filling efforts steady.

As such, officials started using trucked www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

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December 2021 | 59

ES&E NEWS The city has completed remedial work to remove hydrocarbons from the water treatment plant and treated the water reservoir.

FACE MASK POLLUTION SHEDDING MICROPLASTICS

While face mask pollution has been a common sight throughout the pandemic, Canadian researchers are now learning that sun exposure could be making microplastic pollution even worse.

Single-use masks are typically made from polypropylene. During testing, researchers exposed masks to simulated shoreline conditions and observed how

Credit: alexlmx, stock.adobe.com

the masks broke down. They exposed the masks to UV light for up to 48 hours, while keeping a control group of masks wrapped in aluminum foil.

The testing showed that exposure to UV essentially tripled the amount of microplastic particles released, compared

to masks without UV exposure. The meltblown cloth in the middle layer of masks was found to be particularly sensitive to UV irradiation, the study states.

“The physical abrasion caused by sand further exacerbated the release of microplastic particles from masks, with more than 16 million particles released from just one weathered mask in the presence of sand,” the study states.

Some 1.5 million microplastic particles are being released into shoreline environments after just 36 hours of a discarded single-use face mask being exposed to the sun, the research team found.

The Canadian study reveals that shorelines are not only the main receptor of discarded masks from oceans and lands, but also play host to further transformation of masks to plastic particles.

ONTARIO’S CAMPAIGN TO EXPLAIN DRINKING WATER PROTECTION SIGNS

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60 | December 2021

A music video, social media posts and an online mapping application from Conservation Ontario are designed to help educate the public about drinking water protection zone signs.

The new campaign aims to resolve some of the confusion motorists may feel as they see some of the 1,700 signs along the province’s highways and local roads, explains Deborah Balika, Conservation Ontario’s source water protection lead.

“The Drinking Water Source Protection Road Sign Working Group, which includes multiple Conservation Authority staff, enjoyed creating fun, dynamic, and interactive new ways for Ontarians to find out about drinking water source protection and vulnerable areas around municipal wells and intakes,” Balika announced in a statement to media.

The signs are meant to designate areas around municipal drinking water sources where extra protective measures help to reduce risk and keep drinking water safe and clean for the more than 80% of Ontario’s population which receive their drinking water from municipal drinking water systems.

Under the Clean Water Act, 2006, 19 source protection regions and standalone source protection areas were established. The source protection Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

ES&E NEWS regions are made up of a group of local source protection areas. There are a total of 38 source protection areas based on Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities, in addition to the Severn Sound Environmental Association and the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.

The implementation of 22 approved source protection plans is well underway across Ontario, through municipal-

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ities, provincial ministries and Conser- manhole, passively gathering samples of vation Authorities. human wastewater for later collection and analysis.

The wastewater flowing out of buildRESEARCHERS DEVELOP LOWings is collected and tested as part of a COST WASTEWATER TESTING Halifax monitoring program launched DEVICE earlier this year by Graham Gagnon and Amina Stoddart, researchers in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Engineering.

“Our lab has shared our research findings and sampling innovation with many national and international organizations,” says Gagnon, who is also the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Water Quality and Treatment, direcSt. John’s Memorial University 3D-printed tor of Dalhousie’s Centre for Water wastewater testers based on the work from Resource Studies and dean in the Facresearchers at Dalhousie University. Credit: ulty of Architecture and Planning.

Memorial University Emalie Hayes, a PhD student, also Researchers at Halifax’s Dalhousie Uni- helped develop the device, which may versity have developed a remarkably inex- cost as little as a dollar to print. It has pensive 3D-printed device for wastewater since been shipped around the world analysis that is gaining traction as a way to expand testing for SARS-CoV-2 and to mainstream the manhole method of reveal its presence about 10 to 14 days wastewater-based epidemiology sampling. before public health agencies detect it.

The device looks like a cross between a Earlier this year, the Dalhousie team Wiffle Ball and a large fishing lure hang- received funding to expand the project ing from a line. It floats down inside a to sites across the province.

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December 2021 | 61

WATER

Red Deer’s new residuals management facility will reduce environmental impacts

By Risto Protic

T

he City of Red Deer in central Alberta is the province’s third largest city. With a thriving economy and more than 105,000 residents, the city operates a 150 million litre per day (MLD) conventional surface water treatment plant that draws water from the Red Deer River. The facility provides safe, clean drinking water to the city and its regional customers.

The city engaged Associated Engineering (AE) to improve management of the residual waste streams produced by the water treatment plant. The solution was to build a new residuals management facility, which will treat up to 6 MLD of clarifier blowdown waste from the plant’s Actiflo® clarification process before discharge to the Red Deer River.

Treating clarifier blowdown waste before its discharge to the river will reduce the visible plume created by the current discharge, reduce solids sedimentation and associated impacts on fish habitats, improve the river’s aesthetics, and encourage recreational activities.

By improving the quality of the waste stream, the city is demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship and meeting environmental regulations. An additional waste stream, backwash water from the plant’s filters will be sent to the Red Deer wastewater plant for treatment. The project was expected to be completed in late 2021.

Envision certification lead and process support, Jill Townsend, said that, “it was a pleasure to assist the city in its pursuit to obtain Envision® certification for the project.” Envision Awards are available to projects that have successfully completed the certification program offered by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.

The project was evaluated based on Envision’s 60 sustainability criteria that address impact areas of quality of life, leadership, resource allocation, natural world, and climate and risk. Some key 62 | December 2021

The Red Deer Water Treatment Plant Residuals Management Facility earned Envision Bronze certification for its leadership in sustainable infrastructure design. www.envisionawards.org

sustainability achievements and verified results include: • Minimizing noise and vibration during plant operation with a target of 50 decibels at night.

• Reducing operational energy consumption by 23.6% compared to industry norms.

• Recycling, reusing, and diverting 75% of the construction waste.

• Supporting sustainable procurement practices.

• Preventing surface and groundwater contamination.

In conceiving the design of the new building, engineers, architects, and city staff collaborated to create a design that blends aesthetically with the surrounding area. The design reflects some of the architectural features of the original Water Treatment Plant No. 1 that is no longer in service.

Bricks are incorporated in the facade, replicating a feature of historic buildings

in Red Deer, including the nearby aboveground reservoir. Designers also applied an aggregate finish on precast concrete panels to tie-in with the architecture of the active water treatment plant.

Regulatory approvals were identified as one of the key risks on the project. The approval sought by this project, to discharge treated water treatment residual waste to a water course, sets a precedent in Alberta. In anticipation of regulator scrutiny, AE worked with the city to proactively engage the regulator to address potential concerns and respond in a timely manner to keep the process moving on the required schedule. AE also tracked the progress of regulatory approvals to allow all parties to be informed on the progress and potential issues.

Risto Protic is with Associated Engineering. Email: proticr@ae.ca

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