Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine | April 2022 by Environmental Science and Engineering Magazine

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Storing sulfuric acid presents major problems Optimizing wastewater utility operations Removing PFAS from groundwater

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CONTENTS

April 2022 • Vol. 35 No. 2 • 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 Sales Representative DENISE SIMPSON 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. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Second Class Mail Product Agreement No. 40065446 Registration No. 7750 Subscription Changes? Please email reader subscription changes to ese@mysubscription.ca, or call 705-502-0024. Environmental Science & Engineering 220 Industrial Pkwy. S., Unit 30 Aurora, Ontario L4G 3V6 Tel: (905)727-4666 Website: www.esemag.com

FEATURES 6 8 9 10 12 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 31 32 34 36 38 39 40 42 44 46 47 48 50 52 53 55 62

The COVID-19 pandemic can be a catalyst towards sustainability thinking Winnipeg weighs push for diverse workforce on massive wastewater plant upgrade New funding upgrades WWTPs in three Saskatchewan communities Barrie moves to charge stormwater fees based on size of impervious surface area The problem with water and wastewater capital project deliveries Quebec gets funding for eight green, wastewater and sustainability projects Black Engineers of Canada ramps up skills training and mentorships Sensors allow for immediate response to incoming raw water quality changes Alberta hamlet conducts optimization study for its wastewater lagoons Mobile water treatment lab gives Yukon students hands-on hours for certification New report offers action plan for climate-resilient infrastructure Preventing a minor chlorine gas leak from becoming a major one Harvesting solution for Purolator facility captures rainwater for greywater use Researchers call for unified definition of vague ‘green infrastructure’ Pumping long chain polymers in wastewater applications without damaging them Emergency response kits playing a critical role in rail transportation safety Optimizing wastewater utility operations and asset management Researchers find decades-old nanoplastics in ice from Earth’s poles Hamilton saves over $537k using proactive water leak detection program Canadian site is a model for PFAS cleanup efforts worldwide Storing sulfuric acid presents major problems Using digital solutions to save aging wastewater infrastructure before it’s too late Using an early oil spill warning system can prevent WWTP fouling Seventy Canadian groups sign plastics pact to pivot towards circular economy Choosing the right heat exchanger for wastewater applications Cleaning industrial wastewater collection systems requires specialized equipment Barrier used for Gull Bay First Nation’s shoreline restoration project Nova Scotia tenders investigations into impacts of more than 70 former mine sites New report on the aquatic state of the Mackenzie River Basin PEI scientist researching natural solutions for sustainable water

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Environmental Science and Engineering Magazine

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GUEST COMMENT

The COVID-19 pandemic can be a catalyst towards sustainability thinking By Hamidreza Rashidi

ight before the world was preparing in 2020 to celebrate the 75th birthday of the establishment of the United Nations (UN), the uninvited guest of COVID-19 arrived and brought on a disastrous storm. Sustainable development goals (SDGs), which member countries were enthusiastic and optimistic to meet by 2030, suddenly lost their universal priority. Instead, surviving the COVID-19 pandemic and combating this unknown virus took the spotlight. The SDGs set up in 2015 by the UN General Assembly, are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to “achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. Not only did the pandemic take the limelight off the SDGs in most countries, but it also removed these goals in the short term from partial and general planning at both national and international levels. Among all the SDGs, only a few of their sub-goals directly related to the critical and urgent situation of the pan6 | April 2022

demic were given global attention, such as the sub-goals of SDG 3 (health and well-being), SDG 4 (quality education), and SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). Despite how the pandemic has disrupted our lives in so many ways, it may be very timely to assess why the SDGs were so ineffective in the critical situation the pandemic presented. Considering the enormous global resources and logistics behind their development, it needs to be asked why this situation existed. This leads us to explore why sustainability thinking and beliefs may not be the governing principles and strategies among all stakeholders as is evident in the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines and prioritizing pandemic prevention activities. The main missing piece of this puzzle to reach sustainable societies is sustainability thinking and beliefs. This missing piece can also be found in all human activities, where individual short-term interest supersedes long-term interests and common good based on global values. To mitigate this global challenge, it is essential: to create a solid basis to promote sustainability thinking from basic levels and expand it to advanced levels; to revise the SDGs to identify more accurate and feasible goals, based on each region’s needs; and, finally, to introduce more localized sustainable goals, which

rely on social, cultural, religious, political, and economic principles and capital. This only can be achieved by building capacity through good education, updated social resources, and public awareness. Canada, with its extensive geography, rich cultural background, immense resources, and favorable disposition towards SDGs, can be a pioneer in further developing a sustainability thinking revolution, especially among younger generations. They care about sustainability and the environment more than ever before. The pandemic inadvertently created an opportunity and established the groundwork for decision makers and stakeholders to rethink and change their perspective from self-interest, which is so destructive and inefficient in the long term, to focus on the common good and benefits for all humankind. We can also benefit from the new technologies and virtual apps to support easier and quicker engagement of different perceptions from various groups of people, stakeholders, rights-holders, and decision makers to reach common ground and understanding towards sustainability thinking. Hamidreza Rashidi, PhD, is with Delco Water, a Division of Delco Automation Inc. Email: hrashidi@delco-water.com

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WASTEWATER

Winnipeg weighs push for diverse workforce on massive sewage plant upgrade

he City of Winnipeg is considering signaling to bidders that it wants to see Indigenous workers and other under-represented groups as a key part of the labour supply for the next phase of its $552-million upgrade to its North End Sewage Treatment Plant. The city’s hiring priorities were not included in previous tender stages for the ongoing project, which is the biggest in Winnipeg’s history. Many within the community took note of the lack of diversity in the workforce for those stages. At a recent meeting of Winnipeg’s Standing Policy Committee on Water and Waste, Riverbank Management and the Environment, the members said they want to consider the new motion as a lesson learned. “We are trying to signal to the bidders that labour supply is a priority,” said Councillor Brian Mayes of St. Vital, who added that the attempt may run up against trade agreements. The committee motion notes that the province’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 92, calls on governments to “close the gaps in social, health and economic outcomes” faced by Indigenous peoples. The committee had hoped to have a social procurement

The North End Water Pollution Control Centre is the City of Winnipeg's oldest and largest sewage treatment plant. Credit: City of Winnipeg

framework in place before the new stage of the project goes out to tender, However, there wasn’t enough time for that option, officials agreed. Tanya Palson of Manitoba Building Trades, an umbrella organization for 13 trade unions in the province, told the committee that while she supports the motion, it “has about as little teeth as you can get [...].” A more intensive approach may include elements such as hiring targets within the tender, she added, which would be part of an eventual social procurement framework. “This is 1% of the outcome of something like that, but it’s better than nothing,” said Palson. “It will be up to bidders how they want to answer these questions.” She added that the city isn’t mandating diversity, but instead trying to let bidders know the committee’s values, and its concerns about how and where workers are sourced. “We see this as progress in the city’s approach to planning. This is asking bidders to self-declare what they’re doing,” she added. Phase 1 of the sewage plant project included a new power supply and upgrades to headworks facilities, such as new wastewater pumps and improved screening and grit removal. Phase 3 includes the construction of nutrient removal facilities. Commissioned in 1937, the plant is one of three in Winnipeg. It processes 70% of the city’s wastewater, but must now be upgraded to increase its capacity to treat and manage wastewater and stormwater.

8 | April 2022

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

WASTEWATER

New funding upgrades WasteWater treatment plants in three Saskatchewan communities

hree Saskatchewan municipalities are upgrading wastewater infrastructure with a combined investment of more than $2.1 million through the federal Green Municipal Fund (GMF). The investments, administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through infrastructure improvements in the communities of Oxbow, North Battleford and Yorkton. The GMF has already funded 47 completed projects in Saskatchewan that contributed $14.9 million to the economy and created 159 jobs. Oxbow has already undertaken part of its $4.6-million lagoon system upgrade for its population of just over 1,300. With the GMF contributing $1.8 million, officials have integrated a submerged attached growth reactor (SAGR) system into the lagoon, to allow for further growth and development. The province’s Water Security Agency had suspended new development in the area, due to Oxbow’s undersized wastewater system. Now, with the upgrade, officials expect they will be able to treat an additional 90,000 m3 of wastewater per year.

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able energy at high energy consumption municipal facilities such as the wastewater treatment plant. North Battleford officials said that portions of the energy consumption study have already been completed and they are now taking a serious look at installing solar panel systems at all five facilities. Mayor Doug Pierce said in a live stream press conference that the panels could save 15% in energy costs per year. In the City of Yorkton, more than The federal Green Municipal Fund has led to $150,000 will be used to upgrade the 47 completed projects in Saskatchewan that wastewater treatment plant to reduce contributed $14.9 million to the economy and created 159 jobs. Credit: edb3_16, stock.adobe.com its impact on Yorkton Creek and the nutrient-rich Assiniboine River. Mitch Hippsley, Yorkton's Mayor, told a live According to local officials, the stream press conference that the fundupgrade has created the only single cell, ing will help the community explore shallow facultative lagoon in Western water reuse options, as it updates the Canada to be converted to an aerated wastewater treatment plant. cell upstream of a SAGR system, while The Yorkton plant opened in 1991 as maintaining the geometry of the exist- a semi-automated secondary wastewaing cell. The new system is also expected ter treatment facility. It uses screening, to reduce erosion. sewage pumping, grit removal, primary The City of North Battleford received clarification, aeration, final clarification, a $175,000 grant from the GMF to cover and sludge digestion. a new energy consumption study. Thirdparty facility experts will investigate new ways to save energy and generate renew-

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STORMWATER

Barrie moves to charge stormwater fees based on size of impervious surface areas

he Ontario City of Barrie has approved a stormwater climate action fund to improve its resiliency against climate change, mitigate flooding, and protect Lake Simcoe. Also, starting in 2023, it will shift the costs of its stormwater program from property taxes to an equitable user fee. The changes follow extensive public consultation and meetings on the new fund which will cover the city’s operating and capital stormwater infrastructure costs, such as manholes, catch basins, storm sewers, stormwater management ponds, and creeks. The city has more than $1 billion in stormwater assets and currently operates 95 stormwater management ponds. A stormwater funding study was completed in 2019 and recommended a new funding model and implementation strategy. A stormwater rate was recommended based on impervious areas, such as concrete, asphalt or rooftops that do not absorb water. Stormwater management costs will be shifted from a taxbased principle to the “heaviest contributors” based on impervious areas, essentially linking fees to usage. According to a city staff report, residential property owners are currently paying 75% of the costs of the current service levels for stormwater, while representing 54% of total impervious areas within the city. Non-residential properties, meanwhile, are paying just 25% of the costs, while comprising 46% of impervious areas. The imperviousness is measured from aerial photography. The stormwater charge for each property is calculated by multiplying the number of stormwater billing units assessed to it by the effective stormwater rate, which will be approved as part of the 2023 budget process. The average single-family dwelling in Barrie currently pays

According to a City of Barrie report, residential property owners are currently paying 75% of the costs of the current service levels for stormwater. Credit: AnastasiiaUsoltceva, stock.adobe.com

$174 as part of their annual property taxes to fund stormwater. Assuming current service levels are maintained, shifting to a stormwater rate would save households $45 per year. The report notes that many municipalities are changing the way they fund stormwater and drainage services. To date, 48 stormwater user fees have been implemented in five provinces, with more in the works. So far, the cities are primarily in British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta.

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Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

SIDE INLET

INFRASTRUCTURE

The problem with water and wastewater capital project deliveries By Garry N. Boychuk

he delivery of large infrastructure capital projects has long been plagued by delay, extra cost, and less than optimal deliverables. For just as long, fingers have been pointed at the owner, client, project manager, consultant, contractor, supplier, or purchasing department. Vague reasons have been asserted, such as scope creep, approval delays, indecisiveness, funding delays, purchasing delays, design errors and omissions, and construction issues, all with the simple admonition that if only all parties were more diligent and applied more rigour, these issues could be avoided.

BUT WHAT IF IT WASN’T SO? In the City of Toronto’s water division, Toronto Water, we have a delivery expectation of 85% of the approved annual budget. After a particularly challenging year, where capital delivery results slipped to an abysmal 54% of budget expended, I set about to determine the root causes and what, if anything, we could do about it. I conducted a time-slippage analysis of our set of 49 projects that determined the percentage time-slippage from baseline dates to the actual dates of each phase of each project. With the input of the project managers, I assigned the root cause for each time-slippage. The largest contributor at 48% time-slippage was found to be Scope and Budget short comings. (See Figure 1.) Knowing precisely the root causes of project delivery delays and their respective contribution enabled our capital delivery group to target the key areas with confidence. While all the causes were examined and addressed, scope and budget inadequacies deserved the most attention. It seemed reasonable that improved delivery rates could be expected if more time and effort were expended on 12 | April 2022

Figure 1. Major Capital Projects 2012 – Project Phase Variance Profile.

improving the scope and budgeting process. While this quantified outcome came as somewhat of a surprise to some, for those of us that live and breathe project management, it was intuitive. Determination of the root causes was critically important. The vague assertion that “the purchasing department delayed award of a construction contract” does you little good if the problem lies elsewhere. Here is one example of determining the root cause. A contractor disputes bid results, claiming the tender documents were not clear, resulting in months of delay in award until the dispute is settled. Would it be correct to call this a purchasing delay? A quick assessment might also wrongly attribute the delay to an argumentative contractor, or unclear/inadequate tender documents, or incomplete design. However, on closer inspection, one might find that the unclear tender documents were caused by multiple project re-work and re-design, which introduced errors and inconsistencies to the tender documents. This can happen because of ambiguous, incomplete, or incorrect initial scope information. The term “scope creep” has long been bandied about as one of the big culprits responsible for poor capital project delivery. I define “scope creep” as increased scope of non-essential project additions costing more time and money. While these can and do occur and should be discouraged, or at least managed, often scope additions costing more

time and money are essential to the project and simply were not identified initially. These are more accurately named “incomplete scope”. Where “scope creep” can be minimized, “incomplete scope” cannot be ignored for the success of a project. With the addition of all essential scope, projects inherently cost more and take longer. But, what if scope and budget can be more accurately and completely defined earlier in the project? Why not at the beginning? Our group set out to more accurately and completely scope and budget projects through improved business cases, project charters, risk assessments, and the development of standard procedures. These tools and procedures were developed and implemented throughout the next two years. Change management of inevitable missed scope was controlled through the development of a client change request form and procedure, change logs, and key performance indicators to track and manage unavoidable changes. Improvement in the teams’ capital project delivery from 2015 to 2021 has been remarkable. Our capital delivery group experienced 570% growth in delivery, from $33 million to $189 million annually, and an increase of annual budget expended from 54% to 98% and higher. For 2021, our group achieved our highest capital project delivery to date of $205 million and 104% of budget expended. continued overleaf…

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INFRASTRUCTURE While there have been a few staff additions over that time, this improvement in delivery has been with essentially the same staff and resources. Our increased output was certainly enhanced by the addition of two large multi-million-dollar programs, one for sewer rehabilitation and another for watermain structural lining. However, it may be argued that the success of those programs owes much to our new methods, tools and procedures. As well, the 2018 year proved to be a struggle with a correspondingly mediocre delivery for a variety of external reasons. However, our improved methods and tools helped identify and correct the challenges early in the year, blunting the impact for 2018 and setting the stage for a stronger 2019. In parallel with the development of improved tools and methods, a quality management system (QMS) and procedures were established, based on ISO 21500: Guidance on Project Management, to assist new and seasoned project managers alike in how to use the tools and methods to best advantage. Good guidance and standard procedures have increased the consistency and accuracy of project delivery. Given the extra effort required to develop a thorough, accurate scope, a client may ask: What is the point if this hard-won detailed scope will not be completely accurate? Won’t there always be discoveries and unforeseen problems?

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Yes, of course. However, this legitimate question may also be answered with another question. On a project, would you rather deal with two unpleasant discoveries, or ten unpleasant discoveries? An experienced project manager knows that a project with an 80% accurate scope has far fewer problems, costs and delays than a project with a 50% accurate scope. Consequently, at the onset of a new project, sufficient effort should be put into planning the project to minimize and manage discoveries. Or, as former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld aptly named them, “the unknown unknowns”. “…there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don't know we don't know.” “Known knowns” may be considered our scope, those deliberate and defined deliverables. Every effort should be made to capture as many project requirements as possible. “Known unknowns" may be considered our provisional allowance items, those items that are likely to be encountered but are difficult to specify and quantify precisely in the base scope. “Unknown unknowns” should then be considered true unforeseen discoveries over the course of the project. No amount

Garry N. Boychuk, PEng, is with Toronto Water. For more information, email: gnboychuk@gmail.com More details about complete scope and budget development, change management, and other important methods, tools and procedures and how to implement them, may be found in his recent book on the subject, Project Management in Practice – A Practical Guide for Effective Delivery of Capital Infrastructure, 2021, Friesen Press Publishing. References are available upon request.

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of planning and assessment will identify or eliminate unknown unknowns. For these we need a contingency allowance. Successful project delivery in the eyes of the client and senior management is a multivariate challenge for project managers. There are many requirements, challenges and priorities to balance. That said, thoroughly and accurately establishing a true scope and budget with the client is the single best way to improve the quality and delivery of a capital project. Ensuring an important client requirement is included, or identifying a project risk early in a project, can eliminate ten downstream problems. Developing a thorough, accurate scope and budget is well worth the effort.

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WATER & WASTEWATER

Quebec gets funding for eight green, wastewater and sustainability projects

he federal government is investing $12.6 million through the Green Municipal Fund to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste, while improving the quality of water in eight communities across Quebec. Administered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the funding will initiate pilot projects to address the capacity of the Rivière-du-Loup’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and ensure the sustainable management of stormwater in the Town of Amqui. The Rivière-du-Loup’s WWTP $400,000 pilot project includes testing the treatment system at the maximum flow conditions projected for the next 30 years for its 13,800 residents connected to the system. For the first time in Quebec, the plant will transform one of its ponds into a “completely mixed” pond, then utilize an Actiflo ballasted flocculation settling system at the outlet of the ponds. In recent years, incidents of excess discharge at the WWTP have become increasingly common and the facility needs to be updated. Earlier this year, Rivière-du-Loup’s council voted to transfer its WWTP and drinking water operations away from private control and into the hands of the municipality by May. Reducing employee turnover was noted as a key factor in the transfer, explained Mayor Mario Bastille. Over the next year, the municipality will be making a dozen new hires to round out a new water management department. In 2005, Rivière-du-Loup adopted Quebec’s first water management policy and undertook significant work relating to stormwater runoff, including downspout disconnection, separating combined networks based on response plans, adding water meters, and implementing awareness campaigns. Due to the fact that the municipality of Amqui gets its drinking water directly from the Matapedia River, officials are particularly concerned about the quality 16 | April 2022

Quebec’s Amqui gets its drinking water directly from the Matapedia River, pictured. A new pilot project has received funding to install sumps and manholes, filter strips, bioretention areas, turfing, and rain gardens that will better manage stormwater runoff into the river. Credit: dbrnjhrj, stock.adobe.com

of the water and its aquatic ecosystem. Amqui’s nearly $30,000 pilot project entails installing sumps and manholes, filter strips, bioretention areas, turfing and rain gardens, with the goal of achieving an 80% reduction of suspended solids and 80% of the stormwater runoff volume in the Blais district neighbourhood. The project aims to reduce the quantity of pollutants that reach the river and raise awareness of the sustainable management of stormwater. The major share of the new green funding ($11.5 million) is earmarked for a tri-generation plant at the City of Quebec’s Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus. The new heating system will utilize steam discharged by the municipal incinerator to both heat and cool the facility. The project runs in partnership with the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval. Officials estimate that the project will reduce fossil fuel consumption and electricity from the grid by some 52%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 94%. Addi-

tionally, chemicals such as acids, caustics and CO2 will be reduced by 10% in relation to baseline quantities. Additional projects under the new funding include: • More than $240,000 for a biomass heating system in the Municipality of Sainte-Hedwidge. • A $400,000 circular economy ecosystem pilot project in the Lac-Saint-Jean region. • A nearly $55,000 grant to study the implementation of an energy recovery loop to distribute heating and air conditioning between industrial buildings and municipal buildings in the Montcalm area of Candiac. • Nearly $24,000 to study the feasibility of sharing electric and hybrid vehicles in the Municipality of Chelsea. • $36,000 for a recycling pilot project in the City of Drummondville, where officials aim to recover and recycle bulky items as well as construction, renovation and demolition waste.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Black Engineers of Canada ramps up skills training, mentorships

In its first full year after its formation in 2020, Black Engineers of Canada matched 25 mentors to 75 mentees, helped 20 members secure jobs in engineering, and led four master class series events for skills upgrades. Credit: Gorodenkoff, stock.adobe.com

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nderemployment, underrepresentation and pay gaps continue to be challenges, but Black Engineers of Canada (BEC) is striving to create a sense of community and new opportunities to raise visibility for black students and professionals in the sector. “We marked this year’s Black History Month with continuing rollout of our 2020 promising initiatives that will position members of Black Engineers of Canada for excellence in the engineering profession, and for them to build up companies that will grow the Canadian economy,” says Iretomiwa Olukiyesi, BEC’s founding director of programs and initiatives, in a statement. In 2021, the organization’s first full year after its formation in the spring of 2020, BEC’s programs matched 25 mentors to

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18 | April 2022

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

75 mentees, helped 20 members secure jobs in engineering, and led four master class series events for skills upgrades. Earlier this year, BEC held a virtual meeting hosted and coordinated by Engineers Canada. The event examined engineering licensing, practice and diversity in Canada, featuring panelists from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, Engineers Nova Scotia, Engineers Yukon, and Professional Engineers Ontario. The Black population now accounts for 3.5% of Canada’s total population and 15.6% of the population defined as a visible minority, according to Statistics Canada. In 2016, 71,365 Black Canadians age 25 years and older had a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In the U.S. in 2018, just 4.6% of engineering degrees were earned by Black students compared with 11.4% by Hispanic students and 61.5% by white students, according to the Center for Public Integrity.

Canadian work experience, or not working under a licensed professional. There are a lot of “There are a lot of Black engineers in Black engineers Canada today that are either not employed or are underemployed, despite their degree in Canada today in engineering, and are therefore not able that are either not to be role models or champions. This will employed or are have to change,” says Olukiyesi. Last summer, six Ontario universities underemployed, partnered to create a new fellowship prodespite their degree gram to expand pathways for Indigenous and Black students pursuing engineering in engineering. PhDs. Dubbed the Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology Project, it saw each university commit to funding a minimum of one Momentum Fellowship Other challenges facing Black engi- of $30,000 per year for five years. neers and graduates, according to BEC, Olukiyesi and Ayo Abiola founded include hiring bias and hostile work BEC alongside three other founding environments, a lack of opportunities for directors: Réjeanne Aimey, Lindsay professional growth and a higher likeli- Lashley, and Jerome James. The foundhood to hit a glass ceiling, and a lack of ing of the organization came on the patronage in the competitive consulting heels of the murder of George Floyd in sector. For internationally trained engi- May 2020, which sparked worldwide neers, there is a limited ability to obtain protests and a reckoning on anti-Black an engineering licence, due to a lack of racism and police violence.

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April 2022 | 19

WATER

Sensors were installed at the Arthur P. Kennedy water treatment facility’s raw water inlet and after the UV reactors at the BACC outlet.

Sensors allow for immediate response to incoming raw water quality changes By Jack Ambler and Patrick Kiely

ith treatment plants, their raw intake source water quality can change rapidly and impact treatment performance. These water quality events are not typically caught by traditional sampling methods or sensors in time to be managed efficiently. Always on, low-maintenance water quality monitoring can provide better protection from incoming water quality issues by alerting operators to key events in real time. Located in Mississauga, Ontario, the Arthur P. Kennedy water treatment facility (formerly the Lakeview Water Treatment Plant) provides potable water to the residents of Peel Region. Originally built in 1953, the plant pulls source water from Lake Ontario. Incoming water is dosed with ozone and filtered through biological activated carbon contactors (BACC), and treated with UV and additional chemical processes, before being pumped into the distribution system. SENTRY sensor probes are a real-time biological monitor for instant insight into microbial activity. They provide data every minute and require minimal maintenance versus light-based monitors and manual samples. The information they provide can help adjust treatment processes based on incoming raw water and BACC treatment output. Sensors were installed at the Arthur P. Kennedy water treatment facility’s raw 20 | April 2022

water inlet and after the UV reactors at the BACC outlet. During the 20-week sample report period, 11 events were specifically highlighted by the SENTRY technical support team. Six of these events were from “known”’ factors, such as increased turbidity in the influent, backwash filter cleaning procedures, and bypass events where effluent from a nearby treatment plant was releasing untreated stormwater overflow directly into the source water area. The two SENTRY sensors demonstrated the ability to alert operators to increased activity in raw water hours earlier than traditional turbidity measurements. Sensor data quantified the size and persistence of impacts to microbial activity from bypass, backwash and shutdown events. Additionally, the sensors required no maintenance during the deployment period and the data could be used to track against other parameters for a better understanding of the biological processes unique to this facility. Frequent carbon consumption rate outliers in raw water indicate brief fluctuations in source water quality happen often. Bypass and other upstream events cause a disturbance in the carbon consumption rate (CCR) and were measured by the SENTRY sensor at both probe locations. High CCR at the BACC location suggests low chlorine residual in the

effluent water. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and CCR data track well, indicating that CCR can be used to estimate rising or falling cATP concentration activity. Comparing SENTRY to a plant processing a total of 10 manual samples per week, there are over $25,000 in manual sample costs savings per week, while providing real-time information. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE? SENTRY can be an effective and inexpensive tool for monitoring process stability and tracking periods of instability against known and unknown influent and operational changes. When CCR changes rapidly or significantly (e.g., over a one-hour span), manual sampling and operational adjustments should be made to respond to those changing inflow conditions. Timing backwash cycles to occur when CCR is trending upwards (CCR >70) could be a guideline to ensure that backwashes are performed when they are most necessary and when incoming water is of lower quality. Jack Ambler and Patrick Kiely are with Sentry Water Technologies. Email: pkiely@sentrywatertech.com

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BIOSOLIDS

Alberta hamlet conducts bioaugmentation optimization study for wastewater lagoons By Colin Brushett

any wastewater lagoons suffer from excess sludge accumulation. Excess lagoon sludge can lead to higher effluent levels of BOD, TSS, ammonia, phosphorus, and a host of other issues, not to mention the unpleasant odours. With environmental regulations becoming ever tighter, and the threat of fines, wastewater lagoon treatment is a common challenge among wastewater operators. To combat these issues, operators are left with minimal choices and are usually dredging their lagoons due to excess buildup of undigested sludge. The costs associated with dredging a lagoon and the disposal of sludge that hasn’t been properly biodegraded can be extremely high. Treating a lagoon with Waste Go bioaugmentation can restore its health, mitigate costs, and postpone dredging for lengthy periods of time. However, eventually, even the healthiest of wastewater lagoons will require dredging as their capacity for biodegraded sludge will be reached. Sludge that has been properly treated with Waste Go will meet or exceed all environmental standards, thus making it readily available for disposal without further treatment or penalties, saving the treatment facility substantial costs. Buck Creek is a hamlet in Brazeau County in central Alberta, approximately 106 km southwest of Edmonton. Its #1 lagoon cell receives wastewater daily from approximately 118 people and three septic trucks. A study using Waste Go demonstrated that in just seven weeks, the health of the hamlet’s lagoon was vastly improved and in one year almost completely rejuvenated. The increased sludge digestion achieved will prolong the time between dredging significantly by adding capacity with superior sludge settling. After inoculation, one year of maintenance treatments, and constant delivery of wastewater daily, total sludge reduction in Cell #1 was calculated at 170 m3. Additionally, Cell #2 showed a 228 m3 reduction in total sludge volume over the one-year period without any direct application. By measuring solids/mL, an increase of almost 50% shows that Waste Go has nearly doubled the capacity of the lagoon system. This is beneficial as it means the lagoon has settled better and has fewer volatile solids. Every cubic metre digested on-site will not need to be dredged or hauled. This sludge is fully biodegraded and is considered to be of high quality. WATER QUALITY Overall, the water quality report shows a much healthier lagoon system. Nitrogen levels decreased because Waste Go uses nitrogen to operate as a nutrient. Phosphorus, chromium, nickel and 22 | April 2022

The study demonstrated that in just seven weeks, the health of the hamlet’s lagoon was vastly improved and in one year almost completely rejuvenated.

zinc levels also declined as the bacteria use these elements as nutrients during their life cycle. ODOUR CONTROL Due to Waste Go digesting proteins, fats and utilizing nitrogen (that would have become ammonia) which produces the unpleasant odours associated with wastewater lagoons, operators detected a drop in odour of over 60% in just seven weeks. Although no scientific metering devices were used, operators noted that at the beginning of treatment, odour was at what they described as 8/10. During the 7th week of observation, odours had reduced to 2/10. CONCLUSIONS Waste Go succeeded in delivering high-quality results, in a short period of time and in less-than-optimal weather conditions. After initial inoculation and maintenance treatments over the last year, the overall health of the lagoon has been vastly improved. By increasing hydraulic capacity and creating a much healthier and environmentally-friendly lagoon system, mechanical intervention could be postponed for possibly decades, until capacity becomes limited due to biodegraded material. When the need for dredging does finally occur, the high-quality biodegraded sludge can be easily disposed of, creating additional savings. A weekly maintenance dose for Buck Creek’s lagoons will ensure the continued biological breakdown of sludge and healthy water quality levels. Colin Brushett is with Waste Go Canada. Email: info@wastego.ca Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

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WATER

Mobile water treatment lab gives Yukon students hands-on certification hours

fter COVID-19 halted the ability of Yukon University students to visit local water treatment plants for on-site training, new funding has allowed the school to acquire a mobile water treatment trailer for hands-on operator learning. Funded through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and BI Pure Water, the new mobile lab allows students to learn water treatment through troubleshooting, completing daily checks, calibrating analyzers, interacting with automation systems, and adjusting chemical dosage.

24 | April 2022

This mobile drinking water treatment lab allows students to do everything they would in a normal water treatment plant. Credit: Yukon University

“The winterized mobile water treatment plant allows us to offer our existing courses in an experiential way to communities and First Nations that need certified operators, and we are grateful that CanNor helped make this a reality,” said Yukon University President Dr. Lesley Brown, in a statement.

The three-week long course in Whitehorse helps students achieve the 50 hours of hands-on experience required to take the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) certification exam for small water systems, as required under Yukon government regulation. The first week of the course consists of Water Treatment Level 1 and 2 learning in the classroom before students move to the small water systems mobile lab for the last two weeks. “Workers in this field carry a lot of responsibility and the systems they operate can be complex,” announced Alison Anderson, coordinator of the Yukon Water and Wastewater Operator program. “Now our students can gain skills and confidence as they operate and maintain an industry standard water treatment plant in a low risk setting with the guidance of our experienced instructors,” she added in a statement from the university. Anderson said that the mobile drinking water treatment plant allows students to do everything they would in a normal water treatment plant, such as using backwash media filters, changing cartridge filters, maintaining UV reactors, operating pumps, and troubleshooting alarms. After the program, students will be capable of performing and recording water quality sampling and analysis, as well as executing and recording common water system maintenance tasks. Yukon University has 13 campuses located on the traditional territories of 14 Yukon First Nations.

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

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INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCY

New report offers action plan for climateresilient infrastructure

he Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA) has released a new report that recommends ways to create climate-resilient infrastructure within the province. ONEIA, which represents the province’s environment and cleantech companies, formed a working group to tackle the climate challenges ahead for Ontario. The group, a cross-section of leading experts from the consulting engineering and technology sectors, proposed solutions for flooding, wind and ice storms, droughts and drinking water shortages, lower crop yields and failures, forest fires, rail and road disruptions, extreme heat events, and deteriorating air quality. These extreme weather threats, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, caused insurance payouts of $405 million annually between 1983 to 2008. As climate change effects persisted, the payouts rose to more than $1.8 billion annually from 2009 to 2018. “Reducing greenhouse gases is important and we need to keep doing that,” says ONEIA Executive Director Alex Gill, in a statement. “But we urgently need to focus on practical measures to protect our infrastructure and communities from the climate-related disruptions we know are coming. Severe weather events are going to happen no matter what we do, and we need to act now.” The report’s contributors, including representatives from Stantec, Golder and Englobe, also identified six key areas presenting challenges and opportunities around climate change. These areas include buildings, water, transportation systems, natural infrastructure, risk assessment and investment, and electricity systems. The report, “Resilient Infrastructure, Resilient Economy, Resilient Future: Exploring Ontario’s climate vulnerability and the case for resilience”, outlines a series of practical recommendations for Ontario to mitigate threats posed by climate change and maximize the potential economic opportunities at play. When it 26 | April 2022

The report outlines a series of practical recommendations for Ontario to mitigate threats posed by climate change and maximize the potential economic opportunities at play. Credit: Mulderphoto, stock.adobe.com

comes to buildings, for instance, it notes that it is significantly cheaper to properly design new builds for the changing climate rather than retrofitting. The report states that it costs 0 – 5% more in up-front costs to design climate resilient buildings than those not built to meet the future challenge. It adds that the National Building Code and provincial codes should be aligned towards the realities of climate change and its impact on building infrastructure. In terms of energy infrastructure, the report suggests the development of new programs to support whole building energy consumption and peak demand improvements, including existing building energy audits and the recommissioning of building control systems. For water infrastructure, the report recommends that Ontario create a digitization policy that supports municipal procurement and reduces the risk from investing in new technologies. Also for water, the report supports a decentralization policy for small, rural, and northern communities to improve the ability to

select and invest in updated climate-resilient water systems. The report also wants to see changes to the Planning Act and other legislation to include the design and expansion of natural infrastructure on private and public lands to mitigate climate risks. Lastly, the report wants Ontario officials to incorporate some international guidance into its Climate Risk Assessment for Ontario to better support climate risk assessment across various industry sectors. “Taking positive urgent action to address climate resilient infrastructure will protect communities and build confidence for investors in Ontario,” said Janet Bobechko, a lawyer at WeirFoulds LLP, in a statement. “Environmental social governance measures are increasingly important for investors. Addressing climate resilience in asset management will continue to drive positive investment decisions in Ontario,” she added.

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

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DISINFECTION a gas leak, the specially engineered actuator automatically closes the container valve to 40 – 50 ft-lb of torque, stopping the leak and negating the need for an operator to enter the room and manually close the valve. The automatic valve closure also prevents a minor leak from progressing into a major leak. This means that in most instances, the small amount of leaked chlorine can be safely ventilated. Staff can enter the chlorine room safely, locate and isolate the leak, and have the chlorination system back in operation in short order. System status can be provided locally on the OLED or LCD screen and remotely, including All Valves Torqued and System Fault. In the unlikely event that the chlorine gas leak is occurring on the container body itself, it is still critically important to close all of the container valves. Since the online containers are typically manifolded together, a rupture on one container can allow gas from the other containers to leak through. If an emergency gas scrubber is on-site, these are normally designed for the largest single container, plus a safety factor. Under the above scenario, the leak could greatly exceed the capacity of the scrubber. This would not be the case with automatic emergency valve closure systems installed and would limit the leak to one full container.

If a facility has a container system with greater than 1.13 tonnes of chlorine gas, CEPA regulations must be adhered to.

Preventing a minor chlorine gas leak from becoming a major one By Max Rao

he most appropriate response to a chlorine gas leak is to enter the chlorine gas storage room and close the valve on the leaking container, which will terminate the vast majority of leaks. This involves assembling the required number of trained personnel and suiting up in protective gear prior to entering the room. Finding the leak can be difficult with a room full of chlorine gas and the advisable solution is to close all of the container valves and ventilate the room to reduce the chlorine concentration. Of course, by this time the amount of leaked chlorine gas may be significant, eliminating ventilation as an option. The event becomes a reportable incident, that now needs to be dealt with by first responders and reported to the appropriate authorities. Halogen Valve Systems Inc. designs and manufactures automatic emergency 28 | April 2022

REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO AUTOMATIC, EMERGENCY VALVE CLOSURE SYSTEMS:

In the event of an emergency such as a gas leak, the specially engineered actuator automatically closes the container valve to 40 – 50 ft-lb of torque.

valve closure systems designed to enhance the safety of chlorine gas installations. A microprocessor-based control panel operates Eclipse actuators, which are mounted directly onto the chlorine gas container valves. In the event of an emergency such as

Part 6 of the British Columbia OHS Regulations has a section dedicated to Toxic Process Gases. In particular, it states: 6.126 Shut-Down Device: (1) In the event of an emergency or accidental release, the employer must ensure that (a) the gas supply can be shut down manually from a remote location or by the alarm system so as to isolate the reserve supply within the system and stop the generation or flow of the gas, or (b) if the control measures required by paragraph (a) are not practicable, other effective measures, acceptable to the Board, are implemented to protect workers and other persons from exposure to the gas. (2) When an automated or remote shut-down device is activated, the employer must ensure that

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

operators are alerted to the emergency shut-down of the system. [Enacted by B.C. Reg. 381/2004, effective January 1, 2005.] The Environmental Emergency Regulations, 2019 under section 200(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) came into force on August 24, 2019. The regulation implements new reporting and environmental emergency planning requirements, including the requirement for annual emergency simulations for certain hazardous substances, such as chlorine and sulfer dioxide gases. Another requirement is the need to notify residents within a described radius surrounding the facility of the possibility of an environmental emergency occurring, the potential effects, and the measures that will be taken to protect the environment and human health. If the facility has a container system with greater than 1.13 tonnes of chlorine gas, the regulations must be adhered to. According to the regulations, “a container system means any receptacle or network of receptacles that is used to contain a substance—including any connected pipelines or piping—except any part of that network that is automatically or remotely segregated from the rest of the network by shutoff valves, or other mechanisms, in the event of any environmental emergency.” In other words, facilities using an automatic emergency valve closure system within their chlorine gas system would be exempt from the regulations. American fire codes, 2016 UFC and 2018 IFC, require treatment systems like gas scrubbers for chlorine gas systems. However, an exception to the use of these systems is allowed when gas detectors and automatic shut off valves are provided. Several years ago, the Chlorine Institute came up with design recommendations for emergency closure devices for container valves. Included in the recommendations are the requirement for an emergency closing torque and a separate test closing torque. Also, the actuator should not significantly impede access to the container valve when installed. As well, the actuator must be able to close the container valve from the valve’s maximum, wide open stem position. The automatic emergency valve clowww.esemag.com @ESEMAG

sure system by Halogen Valve Systems, Inc. meets all seven of the design recommendations. The use of chlorine gas as a disinfectant at water and wastewater treatment facilities is critical in producing clean water. Improving the safety of chlorine gas systems for both operators, first responders, and the surrounding communities will go a long way in ensur-

ing the continued use of this viable and effective product, which is often preferred over sodium hypochlorite. Max Rao, PEng. is with Aquafy Water Technologies Inc., a Canadian distributor for Halogen Valve Systems. For more information, visit www.aquafy-wt.com

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April 2022 | 29

STORMWATER

Harvesting solution for Purolator facility captures rainwater for grey water use

urolator chose Greyter Water Systems’ water management solution to help manage water efficiently at its new courier and shipping centre in Etobicoke, Ontario. Their rainwater harvesting solution captures rainwater from the roof and treats it to supply 32 toilets and 16 urinals for up to 1,000 employees daily. The property’s irrigation system is also connected to the rainwater harvesting system, maximizing the potential of using up as much collected rainwater as possible. Greyter’s solution was selected in order to help meet Toronto’s “Green Standard”. This initiative requires that all new construction retains runoff generated from a minimum of 10 mm depth of rainfall from all site surfaces, through water-efficient management practices such as water harvesting and reuse. “We would like to thank LPI Mechanical who worked with us on both the design and to ensure the system was installed and commissioned safely under COVID-19 protocols,” said Mark Sales of Greyter Water Systems. The consulting engineers for this project were A.M. Candaras Associates Inc., and it was

30 | April 2022

Greyter’s rainwater harvesting solution captures rainwater from the roof and treats it to supply 32 toilets and 16 urinals for up to 1,000 employees daily.

constructed by Pomerleau, a pioneer in sustainable buildings. The pump station uses an electronic water management controller, which is responsible for the monitoring and control of the entire system, including greywater tank levels, system pressure and temperature, actuated valve control, disinfecting circuit, greywater diversion and water usage monitoring. Greyter Water Systems offers water reuse management solutions which

reduce the water and wastewater demands of commercial and residential buildings. Greywater and other sources, such as rainwater, are captured and can supply all the water for a building’s toilet flushing, irrigation and other uses. These systems can be installed in new buildings and in many instances retrofitted for existing buildings. For more information, visit www.greyter.com

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

STORMWATER

Unified definition of ‘green infrastructure’ needed

how it works, and why we should even care about GI. As far as the term’s definition goes, the study states that GI embodies a paradox. On the one hand, GI’s roots embed a landscape-oriented concept in research and planning; on the other hand, GI is often s North American city planners focused only on stormwater management. increasingly adopt “green infraLead study author Zbigniew Grabowski, structure,” some researchers say of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studit’s time to narrow the scope of its ies, found that the most common city chameleon-like definition, so that every- plans involve stormwater and sewer sysone can at least be on the same page. tems. “City planning often fails to explicA new study used keyword searches itly define GI, but when it does, stormwato find 122 green infrastructure plans ter concepts of it are much more prevalent from 20 cities, allowing researchers to than landscape or integrative concepts,” dig further into the term’s usage. the study states. What they found was that 57% of city When it comes to stormwater, the plans had different definitions of green researchers also found that GI tools often infrastructure, so they also identified offered the greatest number of benefits the types of urban plans, concepts, func- despite circumscribing types and functions and benefits associated with these tions of GI, which the study equates to a green infrastructure projects, often just form of “greenwashing”. called “GI”. Grabowski also says that GI’s defiIn other words, researchers wanted to nition should be cleared up for another assess various cities’ takes on what it is, critical reason, which is funding. “This

narrow view can limit project funding and cause cities to miss out on vital social and ecological services that more integrative green infrastructure can provide,” he said in a statement. The researchers decided on the following definition as perhaps a new place to start when the next municipal GI discussion begins. “Green infrastructure refers to a system of interconnected ecosystems, ecological–technological hybrids, and built infrastructures providing contextual social, environmental, and technological functions and benefits,” the study recommends. According to the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition, GI is defined as “the natural vegetative systems and green technologies that collectively provide society with a multitude of economic, environmental, health, and social benefits.” That could include urban forests and woodlots, bioswales, engineered wetlands and stormwater ponds, as well as green roofs and walls, or parks and gardens, to name a few, the group states.

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April 2022 | 31

PUMPS

Pumping long chain polymers in wastewater applications without damaging them By Amparo Burke

any chemicals are utilized to aid in the remediation of wastewater. They may be used for the removal of solid particles, for pH adjustment, odour control, disinfection, foam prevention or removal, and sludge removal. Flocculant and coagulation polymers are used in the removal of solid particles. Flocculants separate solid content in the wastewater from the liquid content. A coagulant combines small particles to form larger chain particles. These polymers change the charge of the particles, so that they will combine rather than repel other particles. The resulting long chain polymers will form a thick sludge

and settle to the bottom. To avoid common problems experienced with these materials, it is crucial to use a pump that will precisely and gently dose long chain polymers without causing damage to them. Additionally, polymer and flocculants are slippery, so spills can not only be very messy, but may also cause hazardous conditions for operators. Cleanup is often difficult and costly. To alert operators of leaks and to stop the pumping action, it is important to find a peristaltic metering pump that To save pump downtime and maintenance, is equipped with a built-in tube failure Blue-White’s A4 peristaltic pumps feature a detection system. The best tube failure built-in tube failure detection system. protection systems will detect the presence of oil- and water-based polymers in the pump head. Once a spill is detected, the pump should automatically shut down and possess the ability to energize a relay, ' JOIN US FOR OUR 27th ANNUAL TRAINING thus permitting communication with external equipment such as a backup CONFERENCE & TRADESHOW pump, an alarm, or a SCADA system. Effluents present in wastewater must have a certain level of pH before they can be released or disposed of into a !' #' !& (!' ' % #' !& (!' ' % ' % %#"' ' % %#"' !' sewer network. The pH level is adjusted with the use of chemicals such as sul #(%& & * #(%& & * * * % & #) * % & #) * ' % ($ !! " ' % ($ !! " furic acid, hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, and cal % cium hydroxide. An acid or base chemical is chosen, depending on the pH level % % % & of the water. % % & & It is critical in this instance to use a perSAVE THE DATE: June 6 – 9, 2022 istaltic metering pump with multiple fea tures to combat the effects of the specific !% $ & % % # % # #! % !% $ & % % # % # #! %% % % !% $ & % % # % # #! % pH adjustment chemicals. The pump’s !&#$ $ ( ( # $ !' ( % # &" !&#$ $ ( # $ !' ( % # &" tubing should be chemically resistant to !&#$ $ ( ( # $ !' ( % # &" the specific acid or base being used. Secondly, the metering pump should be equipped with the previously mentioned tube failure detection technology, given that acids will attack its internals if left in contact. Therefore, it is imperative that if a pump develops a tubing leak, or worse, a rupture, the leak detection system will shut the pump down and alert 32 | April 2022

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

the operator that there is a problem. Once the offending chemical is cleaned from the pump head, and the tubing replaced, the pump should return to work. In addition, it is important that the metering pump has smooth, gentle, and continuous flow. This will prevent damage to the chemical being dosed, as well as prevent a gaseous buildup which can cause vapour lock and loss of prime. Foaming in the activated sludge process will often develop in wastewater treatment processes. This foam floats and accumulates on the top of tanks. It can make measurements difficult to read and may overflow, causing an unsafe operating environment. Defoamers and anti-foaming agents can be effectively dosed with a metering pump to minimize foam production and accumulation. These foam inhibitors are either silicone compounds, or high boiling alcohols. It is critical that these foam inhibitors are precisely dosed, as dosing too much or too little can lead to further problems. Too little would result in inef-

fective treatment, and too much may worsen deposit problems and cause contamination. Therefore, it is extremely important to choose a metering pump that doses a continuous and exact amount of chemical. Blue-White’s FLEXFLO A4 peristaltic metering pump will precisely dose chemical for process water and discharged wastewater treatment. It delivers smooth, gentle feed that will not damage long chain polymers, and will also accurately dose off-gassing chemicals with no vapour lock and no loss of prime. Operators will always know they are dosing the correct amount of chemical with the highly responsive and easy to read touchscreen display. The LCD screen features easily recognizable icons, is highly intuitive and can be operated even while wearing work gloves. The A4 is equipped with the latest communication protocols and is designed to be fully upgradeable in the future. To save pump downtime and maintenance, each A4 peristaltic pump

includes Blue-White’s exclusive built-in tube failure detection system (TFD) which detects a wide range of conductive chemicals with no false triggering. Should the TFD detect tube failure, the pump will automatically shut off and energize a relay switch. The relay switch permits communication with external equipment, such as a backup pump or alarm. The A4 may also be equipped with Blue-White’s multi-tube technology. It provides optimal performance, while also experiencing higher pressure handling capabilities than conventional single tube designs. The multi-tube design also delivers service life up to four times longer than the average single tube design. These tubes are tough and available in a number of materials to ensure the best possible chemical compatibility. Amparo Burke is with Blue-White Industries. For more information, visit www.bluewhite.com

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info@wastego.ca April 2022 | 33

SPILL MANAGEMENT

Emergency response kits playing a critical role in improving the safety of rail transportation By Troy Scarrow

n 2018, Transport Canada reported that the country’s railroads moved more than 331.7 million metric tonnes of freight. A 2020 report from the United States Federal Highway Administration and the Association of American Railroads noted that total railroad freight shipments in the U.S. would rise from 18.6 billion metric tonnes in 2018 to an estimated 24.1 billion metric tonnes by 2040, an increase of 30%. According to the U.S. Federal Railway Administration’s 2018 rail-safety report, the overall rates for train accidents, equipment-caused accidents, track-caused accidents, derailments and employee injuries per million train miles travelled have declined by as much as 26% since 2009, depending on the category. More specifically, between 2008 and 2018, the hazardous material accident rate fell by 48%. In 2018, more than 99.999% of rail hazmat shipments reached their destination without a release caused by an incident. These heartening statistics are much more than a happy coincidence. They are the manifestation of railroad companies making a strong commitment to ensuring their infrastructure and rolling stock are up to date and in top working order. Also, that all regulations regarding hazmat hauling are steadfastly observed and that their employees are properly trained. The North American railroad industry has a goal of one day becoming accident-free, but if this operational nirvana is ever to be achieved, railroad operators must be familiar with the risks inherent in the handling of hazardous materials. Also, they must be familiar with the ways that they can help prevent incidents that could release hazardous materials. There are three primary potential risks 34 | April 2022

In 2018, more than 99.999% of rail hazmat shipments reached their destination without a release caused by an incident.

every time a train laden with hazardous materials pulls away from the depot: Accident: Accidents can be one of the hardest things for railway operators to protect against since their rate of occurrence is capricious and they are often caused by external factors that are entirely out of the operator’s control. These can range from an automobile or truck stopped illegally on the tracks to a tree that may have fallen across the tracks during a passing storm. Mechanical Failure: Mechanical failures include all leaks and other releases from malfunctioning or improperly secured pressurized railcar pressure-relief devices, valves, couplings, hoses, fittings and tank shells. Operator Error: Finally, no matter their level of conscientiousness or training, operators can still make mistakes.

So, all railroad technicians must take every precaution necessary to ensure that every coupling is attached properly and every valve is closed correctly before, during and after every railcar loading or unloading event. A FRIEND FOR FIRST RESPONDERS Despite the next-generation design and notable improvements in the operation of railcars and their ancillary components, the high-level training that rail personnel receive, the attention paid to guaranteeing that the railway infrastructure is in good working order, and stricter regulations governing the transport of hazardous materials, there is still a chance that a hazmat release could occur. Midland Manufacturing’s B-240/B-243 emergency response kit (ERK) was developed to give emergency responders

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

three easy-to-use cover assemblies and a carrying case that contains all of the tools and parts needed to quickly and safely cap hazmat leaks that can emanate from the top of pressurized railcars in the event of an accident or non-accident release incident. A typical ERK consists of a toolbox containing a broad range of tools and replacement parts: cover cans of five different sizes that are used to cap a leaking valve or fitting, along with corresponding gaskets, and a bridge that is used to secure a cover can to the railcar’s manway cover plate. Knowing the importance of the kit’s components being able to perform reliably in high-leverage situations, all of the tools are highly engineered and designed to be durable under the variable pressures, product flows and general abuse they are subject to during a hazmat release incident. Like any product, the user of an emergency response kit is only as proficient in its use as the level of training they receive. With that in mind, providers offer training classes and videos formatted to help users confidently perform these tasks during the most dangerous release incidents. In fact, it is recommended that all first responders practice using the components in the ERK at least twice a year

A typical ERK consists of a toolbox containing tools and replacement parts, as well as a bridge that is used to secure a cover can to the railcar’s manway cover plate. www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

and, if possible, train with an actual hazmat railcar as a way to better familiarize themselves with the railcar’s components and where things can potentially go wrong. The ultimate goal is for first responders to feel as comfortable as possible with the ERK and its components and capabilities long before they ever have to use it.

Troy Scarrow is with Midland, which is part of OPW, a product brand of the Dover Corporation. For more information, visit www.midlandmfg.com

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April 2022 | 35

WASTEWATER

Optimizing wastewater utility operations, asset management with custom applications By Alex Puttonen

hen a large, privately-owned sewer utility company wanted to improve service for their 16,500+ customers, they realized that digitizing their business processes would be the key to increasing efficiency and maximizing asset life cycles. The utility initially tried a popular software as a service (SaaS) platform to manage work orders and dispatch, but found that it was inflexible in ways that made it inconvenient for operators to use in the field. So, ultimately adoption suffered and the project stalled. The solution had included mobile apps for operators to access maintenance work orders, and replace error-prone forms. However, technicians complained the apps weren't useful because they lacked key functionality. For example, bottlenecks were created because users couldn't look up historical job records to help troubleshoot on-site or dispatch new work orders from their devices while in the field. This led to delays and frustration when field technicians had to call into the office throughout the day to complete their work, or request additional resources. At times, they also had to skip over unnecessary information to find relevant records and instructions. When management asked the SaaS provider to modify the apps, they found that any requested updates were expensive and time consuming. The utility was also looking for an integrated solution to help track equipment and manage assets, in addition to a custom work order dispatch system. They realized this was not going to be readily achieved with their existing platform.

To move forward, the management team wanted to take a mobile-first approach with a more flexible, user-friendly solution for their operators that was customized to their specifications.

• The ability to track and manage serialized assets such as pumps, motors and other equipment to improve efficiency and maximize asset life cycles. • A fully customizable solution with the ability to easily make changes to processes and launch new apps, without having to pay external resources or modify code. Although there are various SaaS solutions aimed at water utility operations, the utility ultimately chose to create their own using a no-code platform. Modern no-code tools were flexible enough to meet all the requirements, and experts from the Flowfinity’s team helped the utility customize a complete work order dispatch and asset management system tailored to their exacting specifications. The utility now uses its own applications to manage daily operations. Staff at the office log incoming calls and dispatch work orders to field technicians. They then record all their work in intuitive apps on smartphones. Supervisors in the field also review the work being performed and can dispatch new work orders from the field as required, greatly increasing efficiency. In addition, the utility has also developed a custom asset management solution to track physical equipment vital to their operations such as pumps, motors and blowers. All this serialized equipment is captured in their Flowfinity database to be tracked as it's in use, requires maintenance, is pulled for repair, or needs replacement.

A NO-CODE, MOBILE-FIRST APPROACH To move forward, the management team wanted to take a mobile-first approach with a more flexible, user-friendly solution for their operators that was customized to their specifications. They identified key requirements for an effective field service and asset management solution, including: • The ability to easily generate work orders and dispatch resources from both the office and smartphones deployed in the field. • Two-way information access that allows supervisors to look up previously submitted work orders on mobile devices. • Automated workflows, including system-generated emails, to notify appropriate personnel when certain tasks were completed, or issues arose. • User-friendly applications and interfaces for operators and ACHIEVING MEASURABLE RESULTS managers to ensure adoption and satisfaction. By customizing and maintaining their own wastewater asset • Custom data validation rules to ensure that all the required management and maintenance apps, the utility has achieved information was entered into work orders before submission. the following: 36 | April 2022

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

NEXT STEPS Having found success with Flowfinity for work order dispatch and asset management, the utility is considering how to leverage additional functionality to optimize their operations. By integrating the Internet of things (IoT) sensors and controllers with their Flowfinity database and workflows, it will be possible to continuously monitor the status of IMPROVED TRACKING OF IMPROVED EFFICIENCY pump stations and send alerts to emerFIELD SERVICE ACTIVITIES AT THE OFFICE gency repair crews in the event of a failThe field service team at the utility In the office, the staff is busy dis- ure or flood. performs regular maintenance work and patching work orders, monitoring work Integrations with SCADA systems ad hoc repairs to maintain wastewater orders that are being completed, pulling and GIS maps can also be configured treatment infrastructure in its service reports, and taking calls. The new sys- with interactive dashboards to improve area. Now, all that work is dispatched tem has made those tasks more efficient visibility into asset locations and conand tracked in one intuitive central sys- and provides more accurate and easily trol operational status. Flowfinity can tem. Work orders are submitted from searchable service records. also help with sample management and the field in real time, allowing manageWith all service information now tracking to streamline regulatory comment to monitor work being performed readily available, centralized, and easy to pliance and lab operations. throughout the day and the status of search, it's more efficient for office and vital equipment and resources in the field staff to find vital records quickly, Alex Puttonen is with Flowfinity Wireless field. Operators enter how and why the and everyone can be assured the infor- Inc. Email: alex@flowfinity.com work was completed, including dates, mation is accurate and up to date. pictures and other critical information.

• Real-time visibility into field operations and asset maintenance. • Greater efficiency and prolonged asset life cycles. • Streamlined dispatch and field operations. • More accurate work order records. • Flexibility and control to update apps in-house.

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April 2022 | 37

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Researchers find decades-old nanoplastics in ice from Earth’s poles

n international team of scientists identified significant quantities of nanoscale plastic particles in decades-old ice samples from Greenland and Antarctica as part of a new study that suggests plastic pollution is more widespread than previously thought. In the first find of its kind at both of the Earth’s poles, researchers from the Netherlands’ Utrecht University, the University of Copenhagen and the Université Libre de Bruxelles were able to obtain the samples from drilling 14-metre-deep ice cores from Greenland and sea ice cores from Antarctica. The study used new techniques to measure the nanoplastics, and was able

and likely all over the world, have been exposed to it for quite some time now,” he added. Polyethylene, or PE, a plastic used in disposable bags and food containers, housewares, pipes and agricultural foils, was the dominant plastics type in Greenland and contributed 49% to the total to find plastic pollution dating as far nanoplastics mass. It was also the most back as the 1960s, including polyeth- prevalent contaminant in Antarctica, ylene, tire dust, PET, polystyrene, PVC accounting for 50% of the overall mass. and polypropylene. Nanoplastics have In the Greenland ice core, the team also been shown to have various adverse found significant amounts of nanopartieffects on organisms. cles originating from vehicle tire wear. Despite polar ice being perceived as Microplastics have been found in Arcpristine and untouched, the researchers tic ice before; however, nanoparticles have found nanoplastics mass concentrations not. The research team, in fact, needed to were on average 13.2 nanograms per mil- develop new detection methods to analilitre for Greenland and 52.3 nanograms lyze the much smaller nanoparticles. per millilitre for sea ice from Antarctica. “The transport pathways of nanoplas“In the Greenland core, we see nano- tics that reached these remote North plastics pollution happening all the way and South polar locations likely involve from the 1960s,” explained Dr. Dušan a combination of complex processes, Materić of the Institute for Marine and including both atmospheric and marine Atmospheric Research Utrecht, in a transport, (re)emission, deposition and statement. “So organisms in that region, ice incorporation,” the study states.

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38 | April 2022

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Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

WATER

Hamilton saves over $537k using proactive water leak detection program

ollowing a two-year pilot project, the City of Hamilton in Ontario launched a program in early 2021 to proactively detect water leaks in underground pipes. That year, the program helped to locate a total of 109 leaky underground pipes, saving the city an estimated $537,068. Hamilton’s water system includes six water distribution systems, 2,031 km of watermains, 13,568 hydrants, 23,305 valves and 153,647 service connections. In 2021, the city treated and distributed nearly 75 million m3 of drinking water to homes across Hamilton. However, some of it gets lost for several reasons, including leaky or broken pipes, firefighting, watermain flushing, etc. According to the city, a significant contributor to lost water is leaking and broken watermains. On average, the city experiences about 300 watermain breaks each year. Due to Hamilton’s unique geography and often rocky, porous ground, there are many watermain leaks and breaks that do not surface and have the potential to remain undetected for years. These hidden leaks account for a large amount of lost water. They can also cause serious damage to the pipe network, cre-

ate erosion which results in pipes breaking, and even causing damage to foundations or roads, bridges and buildings. Lost water, also called non-revenue water (NRW), creates financial consequences for the city, including unbilled

technology to focus on about 400 km of watermain and was able to verify 177 leaks (24 of these leaks were located on private water service lines). The city said that based on the success of the pilot project, it launched a formal leak detection program in early 2021, with a goal of assessing the entire water system by the end of the year. At the end of 2021, To detect the leaks, the city attached magnetic listening devices to fire proactive leak hydrants and isolation valves to listen detection technology for leaks that could be within 100 metres. was deployed to The listening took place between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. when water usage and traffic more than 5,990 noise are typically less, meaning reduced locations and interference and more accurate readings. After locating a potential leak with the had identified an listening device, crews would head into additional 109 leaks. the field to pinpoint the exact leak location. The city said that at the end of 2021, proactive leak detection technology was water consumption and unnecessary deployed to more than 5,990 locations operational costs to produce and dis- and had identified an additional 109 tribute drinking water (treatment chem- leaks (17 of these leaks were located on icals, energy, etc.). private water service lines). In 2019 and 2020, the city began a pilot Moving forward, the projected annual project for proactive detection of water cost of the proactive leak detection proleaks. According to the City of Hamil- gram is approximately $165,000, based ton, it used leading-edge leak detection on staffing costs, according to the city.

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April 2022 | 39

WATER

Canadian site is a model for PFAS cleanup efforts worldwide By Ryan Moore

ater this year, the U.S. EPA will issue preliminary drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for two PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). MCL determinations for these two most studied PFAS will have lasting impacts for human health, the environment, and those entities responsible for PFAS cleanup, extending to Canada and beyond. For many facilities where PFAS have been confirmed, or where handling of the chemicals is suspected, it is helpful to understand what successful PFAS groundwater remediation might entail. One remediation project in central Canada serves as a model case for the growing multitude of facilities that are finding PFAS contamination. More than five years into the performance monitoring phase, it is the world’s first demonstrated in situ treatment of PFAS. In situ PFAS treatment was completed at a site where fire-training exercises were conducted during the 1970s and 1980s. Firefighting foam containing PFAS was used during the training exercises and it contaminated the shallow groundwater. Investigation revealed the extent of the PFAS plume to be nearly 800 m2. PFOA and PFOS concentrations within the plume exceeded 3,000 and 1,400 nanograms per litre (ng/L), respectively. These concentrations exceeded Canada's maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of 200 ng/L for PFOA and PFOS. The PFAS plume had shown some groundwater downgradient of the suspected source area. Thus, the goal of the in situ treatment was to sequester the contaminants in place and eliminate the possibility of exposure to downgradient receptors. In Situ Remediation Services, Ltd. (IRSL), an Ontario-based environmental services company, conducted the treat40 | April 2022

ment using a patented form of colloidal activated carbon (CAC) developed and manufactured by REGENESIS . CAC comprises one to two micron-sized particles treated with an anti-clumping agent that allows the material to permeate through the small openings between individual soil grains. The liquid carbon amendment is injected into a contaminated zone, using wells or specialized injection tooling. The material flows through the subsurface, with only minimal injection pressures (typically 1 to 2 bars) needed to overcome the formation backpressure. As the CAC material distributes, it coats the aquifer solids, painting them with activated carbon and transforming the treated area into an in-ground purifying filter. When groundwater containing PFAS migrates through a CAC-treated area, contaminants adhere to the solids and are filtered out of the groundwater. The activated carbon surface area deposited onto the aquifer approaches 200,000 m2 per kilogram of CAC. Due to the expansive coverage, sorption of PFAS onto the CAC and their complete elimination from groundwater occurs within

a time frame measured in days to weeks. Within three months after the injection, the contaminants were removed from the groundwater, achieving reductions to the low parts-per-trillion laboratory detection limits. These reductions have been maintained for over five years thus far, making it the first and the longest-running sustained in situ PFAS treatment worldwide. The project implementation and initial results were published in Remediation in 2018. With five years elapsed, the treatment has already proven significantly more cost-effective than other approaches such as groundwater extraction and treatment. However, the question remained as to how long the treatment could be maintained. Using a three-dimensional reactive transport model (ISR-MT3DMS), it was estimated that the CAC remedy implemented at the site is likely to be effective for decades, with modeling results indicating PFOS sequestration over 60 years. A current impediment to remediating PFAS impacted sites is the lack of clarity about what groundwater PFAS concentrations will be considered “clean enough” following a remediation effort. It is well

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

acknowledged that the contaminants are present at trace levels seemingly everywhere, but health effects could be observed at minute levels of exposure. As many facility operators prepare themselves, the pending EPA MCL designations for PFOA and PFOS might be viewed in hindsight as the official starting point for PFAS remediation globally. Canada's maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) is currently 200 ng/L for PFOA and PFOS. However, it is most plausible that the MAC will be driven lower given the following lines of evidence: • The current EPA Health Advisory Level (HAL) is roughly one-third of the MAC at 70 ng/L combined PFOA and PFOS. • Toxicological studies completed in 2021 suggest that MCLs may be lower than the current 70 ng/L HAL according to EPA’s statement that “recent scientific data and new analyses indicate that negative health effects may occur at much lower levels of exposure to PFOA and PFOS than previously understood and that PFOA is a likely carcinogen.” • Some U.S states have already assigned much lower drinking water limits, with two bordering Canada amongst the lowest. In New York, the action level is 10 ng/L for the sum of PFOA and PFOS. Michigan has set MCLs of 8 ng/L for PFOA and 16 ng/L for PFOS. Together, these indicators point to drinking water limits that will ultimately be set in the low tens of ng/L for PFOA and PFOS, conceivably a magnitude lower than the current MACs used in Canada. Wherever the MCLs are set, every single part per trillion makes a difference. This ultimately affects whether remediation is necessary at a multitude of sites where these chemicals either have been or are waiting to be discovered. In the U.S. there are over 120,000 facilities identified as potentially handling PFAS. Similar data for Canada are not available at this stage.

Visual depiction of PFAS sorption mechanisms onto CAC.

Chart showing the highest concentration PFAS-impacted well, with treatment maintained for 5.4 years, thus far.

charged with benchmarking this key subset of remediation technologies. As part of this panel, McGregor presented the findings of three sites that have been treated with CAC. Combined concentrations of C4 to C9 PFAS ranged from 4,710 to 52,970 ng/L, with post-application monitoring periods ranging from 1.5 and 5 years. All have maintained the complete removal of PFAS in groundwater over their respective monitoring periods. McGregor also showed that colloidal EFFECTIVE IN SITU TREATMENT activated carbon is effective at removFOR REMEDIATION OF PFAS ing other organic compounds comminRick McGregor, President and CEO gled with PFAS to achieve contaminant of IRSL recently participated in an groundwater concentrations below their expert panel assessing the development analytical reporting limits. of in situ technologies capable of treatMcGregor’s sites, including the central ing PFAS. The committee on “Available Canada site, were the only in situ treatIn Situ Remediation Technologies” was ment ones presented that were reported www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

to demonstrate the successful removal of PFAS. Other amendments tested, including powdered activated carbon, biochar, and ion exchange resin were not proven to be effective beyond the short term. The committee and the environmental industry at large recognize the importance of sustainable technologies that do not require long-term energy inputs and do not add to global carbon emissions. The green and sustainable in situ CAC technology demonstrated by McGregor et al. has singularly proven to be effective in achieving the parts per trillion action levels that are yet to be established in many countries. Ryan Moore is with REGENESIS. Email: rmoore@regenesis.com (References are available upon request) April 2022 | 41

STORAGE TANKS TANK OPTIONS Steel tanks are good for storing 98% sulfuric acid. At any other concentrations, they will need to be protected with some form of internal lining/liner. A rotationally molded polyethylene lining system might be an option to protect your steel tank against the harshest chemicals and will give you broad chemical resistance alongside the strength of a steel tank. Fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks are available with numerous interior coatings and a structural layer comprised of chopped glass or filament wound fibre and resin. Polyethylene or plastic storage tanks are either linear polyethylene or high-density cross-linked polyethylene. High-density cross-linked polyethylene, or XLPE, is a thermoset resin. It is specifically engineered for critical applications like chemical storage. Cross-linking is simSulfuric acid storage tanks at a water treatment plant. ply the formation of bonds between the polymer chains. These bonds, equal in strength and stability to the principal bonds along the polymer backbone, tie the polymers together, thus dramatically increasing molecular weight. In fact, the length of the polymer chains and, therefore, the physical properties, are much better than can ever be achieved without By Marshall Lampson cross-linking. The result is a plastic that possesses ulfuric acid is one of the most dangers that the chemical presents to impact resistance, tensile strength, and widely used chemicals, with mil- equipment and personnel. resistance to fracture that linear polylions of tons produced each year. Sulfuric acid is extremely heavy and ethylene just can’t match. These qualiIt is used in a wide range of appli- will test the mechanical integrity of a ties make cross-linked polyethylene an cations, including water and wastewa- storage tank. Its inherent weight requires excellent choice when tank integrity is ter treatment, car batteries, dyes and a strong material that can withstand the critical. The structural integrity, heat pigments, mineral processing, fertilizer static load pressure constantly press- resistance, and useful life in most cases manufacturing, oil refining, and the ing against the bottom third of the stor- are unparalleled. manufacture of chemicals. age tank. It is also an aggressive oxidizer, It is a highly corrosive mineral acid so safeguards are needed to prevent the CONSIDERATIONS that challenges traditional chemical stor- tank’s material from degrading, becomA few storage tank manufacturers age options. This pungent, colourless to ing brittle, oxidizing, and cracking, which are willing to provide 45,000 litre linear slightly yellow viscous liquid is occasion- could result in leaks or tank failure. polyethylene tanks to store sulfuric acid. ally dyed dark brown during production If sulfuric acid contacts water, it cre- But time and experience have shown to alert people to its hazards. The biggest ates a toxic sulfuric acid aerosol fume that this is not the safest or most durachallenge in working with sulfuric acid or a potential explosion. It can create ble solution. is that it is an aggressive oxidizer. a highly flammable hydrogen gas if it Some chemical companies will install is spilled on metals. Burns from sulfu- large fiberglass tanks, because they want CHALLENGES ric acid can be more serious than burns to hold a railcar of sulfuric acid. While The highly corrosive nature of sulfu- from other strong acids. Sulfuric acid this may seem to be a convenient or ric acid tests the limits of today’s storage dehydrates whatever it touches, and the cost-efficient solution, oftentimes it is systems. Any company that stores sulfu- heat caused by that reaction with water the polar opposite. After the potential ric acid needs to be acutely aware of the can create secondary thermal damage. of losing 150,000 litres of sulfuric acid in

Storing sulfuric acid presents major problems

42 | April 2022

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

an instant, many manufacturers and end users have made the switch from a large fiberglass tank to a couple of smaller XLPE tanks. CHEMICAL COMPATIBILITY Because it is an aggressive oxidizer, and reacts differently with various materials, choosing the right tank material for sulfuric acid is critical. One must consider its concentration, since it displays different properties depending upon the concentration being used. For example, at 80% the nature of the chemical may not have the same oxidizing effects. The three main concentration ranges that are used are 93 – 98%, 80 – 92%, and 80%. MOLECULAR WEIGHT At different concentrations, molecular weight also becomes a factor. At its highest concentration, the molecular weight of sulfuric acid is up to 2 kg per litre, nearly twice the weight of water and will test the mechanical integrity of any material. This chemical should be stored in a cross-linked polyethylene tank that has a 2.2 specific gravity wall thickness for safe, reliable use. ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM When storing sulfuric acid, it is important to verify the hoop stress rating and understand the specific gravity ratings to make sure the resins used in the storage tank provide a margin of safety. Along with the weight of the chemical, its oxidative properties must also be considered. Poly Processing Company’s next generation OR-1000 engineered resin system is made of polyethylene, specifically formulated to resist oxidation. Its outer surface is made of XLPE for superior strength. The two surfaces are molecularly bound together during the roto-molding process, creating a truly seamless bond between the XLPE and antioxidant resin system. Engineered antioxidant systems improve long-term properties, minimize oxidation, increase environmental stress crack resistance, and increase the life of a cross-linked polyethylene tank. This gives the user a more cost-effective solution.

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www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

Secondary containment helps mitigate the risks and hazards associated with chemical spills and leaks.

SECONDARY CONTAINMENT Secondary containment helps mitigate the risks and hazards associated with chemical spills and leaks. In this system, a secondary container or wall encompasses the primary container. Should the primary container fail and cause a chemical leak, the secondary containment prevents the chemical from spilling outside the system. A properly engineered and manufactured double wall tank system, or “tankwithin-a-tank” provides secondary containment and helps avoid damage to equipment and property, loss of chemical, and, most importantly, injuries to personnel in the event of a spill. Properly designed double wall tank systems should: • Provide at least 110% secondary containment. • Equalize the liquid and allow the chemical to be used until it is convenient to repair the tank. • Be ideal for chemicals like sulfuric acid that can have dangerous exothermic reactions to water. • Eliminate the expense, cost and maintenance of secondary concrete containment. • Minimize the system’s footprint by providing secondary containment in a more compact way. Containment is only as secure as

its weakest link. If using a double wall tank system with a sidewall fitting, and a true contained transition fitting is not installed, there may be a weak link that could cause trouble. The most likely potential for a problem is not the tank wall itself, but the drain or pump outlet (i.e., the fitting) on the lower section of the tank wall. Since the tank wall in most cases must be cut in order to install a fitting, that connection is more susceptible to pressure, vibration, and operating or maintenance errors. As such, it becomes a more vulnerable potential issue than the rotomolded tank wall itself. Look for transition fittings that fully contain both the fitting and piping from the inner tank, through the outer tank, to the outlet. Many double wall tank systems lack this important safety component, and a fitting failure here could siphon the tank contents onto the ground. TEMPERATURE The storing temperature of the chemicals in the tank is very important. Check the temperature regularly to verify that it is within the temperature window it was designed for. If the tank will be subject to extreme temperatures, a specially designed tank with a thicker construccontinued overleaf… April 2022 | 43

STORAGE TANKS

WASTEWATER

Using digital solutions to save aging infrastructure before it’s too late

tion may be required. Avoid mixing or cutting chemicals in the same tank if the temperature will be negatively affected as part of the process. If you do mix chemicals that will affect the temperature, make sure the mixture is handled correctly (especially when dealing with higher concentrations and dilutions) and always check that the proper storing temperatures are not exceeded. By Ariel Stern and Pierre Michaud INSPECTIONS Certain annual inspections should be performed to ensure that a tank is maintained properly. Make sure it is cleaned annually and inspected visually with a flashlight, looking for any abnormalities. Field service specialists have cameras and other specialized equipment, as well as the expertise, to make sure everything is functioning the way it should. Performing inspections on the original installation, checking the chemical storage temperature, and conducting regular annual inspections will help the polyethylene tank reach its maximum lifespan and ensure that it is properly maintained.

igital solutions can be the most cost-effective and efficient way to install resilience in aging and crumbling infrastructure, regardless of a city or municipality’s budget or size. Established in the early 19th century and home to 15,000 people, one small city is serviced by a combined sewer system responsible for transporting rainwater and treated sewage into the local river. Frequent, heavy rain showers lead to numerous overflows of untreated wastewater into the river. The city’s field crews used yardsticks to measure levels within sewage overflow sites during visits, but this was not enough to provide the continuous monBUILDING A SOLUTION itoring necessary to evaluate and reduce Proper tank design is crucial to suc- overflows of untreated sewage. To make cessful and safe sulfuric acid storage. matters worse, many of the system’s sewer There are many storage solutions out pipes were over a hundred years old. there which is why it is vital to choose Overflows of untreated sewage the proper tank configuration. Selecting became so frequent and extreme that a the right tank configuration can impact dramatic shift in the way overflows were the safety of employees, protect the envi- monitored and managed was necessary. ronment, and the facility itself. For a city this size, most of the availSome believe that if a tank can store able solutions came at a prohibitive cost water, it can store a chemical. Although as they require massive investment to a water tank could potentially store a rebuild existing or build new and more chemical for a limited amount of time, extensive infrastructure. The only fisits design falls short of preventing leaks cally plausible option was a digital one. and other dangerous situations. Combining hardware and software for a holistic solution, digital devices were Marshall Lampson is with Poly placed at critical junctures within the city’s Processing Company. Email: sewer system. These devices are the cormlampson@polyprocessing.com nerstone of the digital network, primarily used for sewage flow and level monitoring. They generate and transmit real-time alerts whenever crucial thresholds are reached, to alert members of the public, notify the utility maintenance teams, and streamline compliance reporting. The city has mitigated structural challenges, aging infrastructure, and a limited budget. Adopting the most advanced 44 | April 2022

digital tools enables the city to collect real-time data to transform insights into actions. This digital solution has provided the city with an alternative and convenient way to affordably revolutionize the operation of its network, without needing to change it physically. Aging infrastructure and increased operational stress significantly reduce the quality of critical services everywhere. It has been estimated that millions of litres per day of treated drinking water are lost due to water main breaks in Canada. In many areas, sewer pipes are just as old, derelict and leaky. Stormwater often overwhelms existing infrastructure networks. Protecting, preserving, and enhancing critical infrastructure demands the implementation of digital solutions to deliver smarter and more actionable data that enhances public safety, reduces the incidence of preventable contamination and overflows, and improves man-

The threat of cybercrime is on the rise, so militarygrade cyber security must be deployed to protect various access points.

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

Digital devices were placed at critical junctures within the city’s sewer system.

agement control and reporting. Critical applications include incorporating data from remote field assets such as reservoirs, distribution pipelines, control valves, supply tanks, and many other applications involving water, energy and transportation networks.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REALTIME DATA INTELLIGENCE Enhanced data intelligence enables smart data to become more actionable, visual, connective, interoperable and scalable, to seamlessly integrate the newest technologies with legacy platforms such as PLC and TRU, all without requiring intensive coding. Partial solutions are inherently costly and inefficient versus comprehensive end-to-end solutions that are far more modular, scalable, flexible and sensor agnostic, quickly adapting to dynamic market conditions and future growth opportunities. Optimized end-to-end solutions are also more intelligent and more secure, and able to adapt to all existing wireless technologies to accommodate multiple configurations (analog, serial and discrete input) while seamlessly integrating third-party software. These intelligent solutions utilize simple, autonomous, plug-and-play wireless edge devices that do not require specialized coding skills. These solutions further enhance their reliability and increase their return on investment by extending the network operating life and reducing long-term maintenance costs.

HOW TO MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE SMARTER Physical edge devices support industrial IoT (Internet of things) data generation and transfer using artificial intelligence (AI) pattern recognition and machine learning powers to optimize productivity, connectivity, cost efficiency and management control. At the same time, they enhance environmental quality and provide more actionable data for improved decision making. These physical edge devices are typically powered by ultra-long-life batteries capable of supporting bi-directional wireless communications. The system design considerations are all highly interrelated, requiring comprehensive end-to-end solutions that address the following key questions: • Is the solution intelligent, intuitive, and enhances real-time decision making? • Is it a comprehensive end-to-end solution that is scalable and flexible? • Are the data and the device cyber CYBERSECURITY IS ESSENTIAL secure? The threat of cybercrime is on the www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

rise, so military-grade cyber security must be deployed to protect various access points. One potential access point involves intercepted communications, that can corrupt the device’s configuration or modify the data. Bluetooth communications channels can also be compromised to gain unauthorized configuration access. Additionally, API sessions can be hacked to gain programmatic access to specific user accounts. Mitigating these risks requires a best-practices model that combines secured hardware and software with fully encrypted communications. If we resist the digital transformation of critical water utilities today, the costs will be too significant to bear tomorrow. It is possible. A small city used its limited budget to rejuvenate a century-old, broken water system, and it is a prime example of how digital tools create resilience in a water system. Ariel Stern is the CEO of Ayyeka. Email: ariel.stern@ayyeka.com. Pierre Michaud is VP of Avensys Solution Inc. Email: pmichaud@avensys.com

April 2022 | 45

WASTEWATER

Using an early oil spill influent warning system can prevent WWTP fouling By Der-Liang Yung

n May 2020, the Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina, Saskatchewan, experienced an oil spill from their storage pond, which led into the municipal sewerage network. As a result, the Water Security Agency, which oversees Regina’s wastewater treatment plant, was forced to divert some 60,000 litres of incoming wastewater into a segregated lagoon for special treatment. What is poignant about this story is that the operators at Regina wastewater treatment plant relied on visual inspection to identify the oil spill slick on the surface of the incoming wastewater. There was no automated system, nor specialized sensors, let alone any provisions for how visual inspections would occur at night. Human observation alone is fallible and reaction times can be delayed by the bureaucracy of decision making at each level of management. The questions arise: • What would happen if the oil slick entered the wastewater treatment plant? • Would the plant have to shut down for cleanup and repairs? • What impact would it have on the water management for the city of Regina? • What would the overall cost be, both financial and reputational for industry and residential? • And, importantly, what if the scenario was contamination of a drinking water source? Although treatment plants are meant to handle all sorts of wastewater, whether it be from residential or industrial sources, incoming oil contamination still poses a considerable threat to a facility’s operations. These oil spill incidents can occur any time and without warning. If not handled properly, they can lead to contaminated wastewater flowing into natural environments. Depending on the technology behind the facility, oily wastewater can foul membrane filters, destroy the biodigesters, or clog sand fil46 | April 2022

Hydrocarbon sheens will tend to surface once entering laminar flow areas in rivers and streams. Here is where early detection is most critical for an appropriate oil spill response.

ters, leading to a potentially long plant shutdown. The number of industries which use water as a medium and therefore discharge water is greater than one would imagine. Cement, chemical, metal, petroleum, food, microchip and pulp & paper manufacturers can all discharge process water in some form into municipal wastewater systems. A wastewater treatment plant’s location is an important factor in assessing the risk level from oil pollution. When it is downstream from industry, there is always a chance for accidental oil contamination reaching it. Wastewater treatment plant shutdowns are particularly critical when oil contamination exceeds the ability of the plant to handle it. To ensure protection, the critical requirement is safeguarding and actively monitoring influent inlets. The Remote Optical Watcher (ROW)

by Laser Diagnostic Instruments (LDI) is an oil spill detector, which monitors water in real time and sends early-warning alerts when it detects oil sheens. The main principle of the technology uses UV fluorescence to distinguish hydrocarbon's unique fluorescence signature and potentially other materials on the water. The centre piece of the technology is the optical, non-contact feature with a physical range of up to 10 m from the water’s surface. This allows the sensor to be installed safely over a river or pump station channel while monitoring the water upstream of a treatment plant. Non-contact sensors eliminate biofouling or contamination of the instrument. Whether it be algae growth, or dissolved organic matter, not having a sensor physically in the water column means a cleaning mechanism is not necessary. The second advantage stems from the inherent nature of oil spills. Common

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PLASTIC oils such as diesels, gasoline, lubricant oils or machine oils naturally float on the surface. A common oil spill incident would constitute fresh, raw oil being spilt from a source, and inadvertently discharged into the waterway carrying the slick downstream. Even taking turbulence into account, these hydrocarbon sheens will tend to surface once entering laminar flow areas, which are normally found in rivers and streams. Here is where early sheen detection is most critical for an appropriate oil spill response. Installing a network of autonomous oil spill detectors in the area leading to the water inlets of a wastewater treatment plant allows for early detection of potential threats. The continuous 24/7 monitoring, configured with controllers for alarms, datalogging and triggers, can automate the initial decision making process, saving critical time in the early stages. It also provides more options for appropriate containment. Whether diverting the oily water away from a plant, or quickly deploying oil absorbance booms or materials, the importance of early warning may signal the contrast between managed response and unmitigated disaster. Each sensor can be connected on-grid or completely off-grid, with all data converging to a single control centre. Trend data can correlate when and where oil spills have been previously detected, and, depending on the different upstream inlets, allows authorities to narrow the polluting source. While sensor technology cannot prevent an oil spill, it can help to limit the damages caused by the initial incident by providing early warning and faster response in subsequent stages. Der-Liang Yung is with Laser Diagnostic Instruments, who are represented in Canada by SCADALLIANCE. For more information, email: contact@scadalliance.com

www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

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

70 Canadian groups sign plastics pact to pivot towards circular economy By ES&E Staff

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 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.

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 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 For more information, Email: Council of British Columbia, Canadian editor@esemag.com Tire Corporation, the Canadian Bottled

April 2022 | 47

WASTEWATER

Choosing the right heat exchanger for wastewater applications By Cameron Creech

wastewater installations, and fully packaged systems for concentration, evapoeat exchangers are widely used ration, and pasteurization. in wastewater treatment appliIn many areas, spiral heat exchangers cations, particularly for general (SHEs) have become common in wasteheating and evaporation applicawater applications. However, they are tions. However, the challenging nature not without significant issues and existof wastewater and sludge, such as its ing SHEs are often replaced with corruhigh viscosity and high fouling potential, gated tube units. There is no doubt that, means that it is important to choose the in theory, SHEs offer greater thermal right type of heat exchanger to reduce The HRS DTI Series has a proven record with efficiency than conventional smooth costs, maximize energy efficiency, and difficult materials such as sludge and digestate. surface tubular designs. This is due to maintain heat exchanger operational their large surface area and true countperformance. er-current flow, but, in practice, they are Many scraped surface and corrugated Series of reciprocating scraped surface frequently subject to fouling and blocktube heat exchangers are specifically heat exchangers. Whatever the required ing, interfering with the thermal transfer designed for sludge, digestate and waste- application, there will be an effec- efficiency. water applications, including unique tive solution, including heat exchangEven so-called “self-cleaning” designs patented designs like the HRS Unicus ers, which can fit into existing and new of SHEs which rely on turbulent flow

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to prevent the formation of a boundary layer often fail to perform properly in real-world situations, particularly when used for sludge-to-sludge heat transfer. In contrast, corrugated tube designs reduce fouling in a number of ways. The tube-in-tube design offers a much larger channel than spirals, thereby reducing blockages, while the corrugated inner tube encourages turbulence, increasing heat transfer and reducing fouling. Additional design features can make tubes within corrugated heat exchangers easy to clean and maintain, e.g., the use of removable bends and the removal of expensive gaskets which need to be replaced regularly. Another benefit of corrugated double-tube designs compared to SHEs is that the tubes can easily be removed for inspection, cleaning and maintenance. In many situations, a corrugated tube heat exchanger is the best solution for challenging materials such as sludge. However, in the most extreme cases with a very high fouling risk, it will be

necessary to use a scraped-surface heat exchanger. Most of these use a rotating action, but the HRS Unicus Series uses a patented reciprocating design. This reciprocating scraped surface heat exchanger is based on traditional shell and tube heat exchangers, with the addition of a patented stainless steel scraping mechanism which is hydraulically moved back and forth within each interior tube. This movement performs two key functions. Firstly, it minimizes potential fouling of the product by keeping the tube wall clean. Secondly, the movement creates turbulence within the material. Both of these actions help to increase heat transfer rates and together, they create a highly efficient heat transfer process ideal for viscous and high fouling materials. It has proved particularly useful in handling challenging materials which have a high fouling potential, such as digestate produced by biogas production, and the design means that effective heat transfer can be carried out by pre-

venting the buildup of fouling layers. The prevention of fouling can be particularly important for evaporation applications, so a special version has been developed for evaporation systems where volume reduction is vital. The scraping action keeps the heat transfer surfaces clean, meaning that these evaporators can concentrate materials to a level beyond that typically achieved with traditional technologies. Such evaporators can be used in either multi-effect design, or in combination with mechanical vapour recompression. Whatever wastewater treatment is required, from heating greywater through to evaporating thick sludges, there will be an appropriate solution, and it is important to use the correct type. Cameron Creech is with HRS Heat Exchangers. For more information email: info@us.hrs-he.com

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April 2022 | 49

WASTEWATER

Cleaning industrial wastewater collection systems requires specialized equipment

lthough industrial processes vary broadly, in any plant, dusts, grease, slag, metals, residues and cementitious particulates generated during manufacturing can make their way into the wastewater stream, accumulate, and even harden in underground pipelines. As a result, plants conduct periodic maintenance to flush debris and sediment from pipes, including breaking up hardened obstructions to prevent blockage and protect downstream wastewater treatment equipment from excessive loading. Many plants were built 40 to 80 years ago with most of the pipes underground, so they are old, hard to access, and can accumulate excessive, hardened debris that must be removed. If this kind of debris is transported by pipe to on-site clarifiers, digesters, sewer vaults, or treatment plants, it can disrupt and overburden the process as it collects and hardens. A similar problem occurs when rain washes debris in outdoor processing or storage areas into basins, ponds, or reservoirs prior to transport through pipes for further treatment. The task of industrial pipe cleaning typically falls to third party cleaning companies, who come to facilities with a vacuum truck and perform the work periodically, unless emergency debris removal is required. Most wastewater pipes are typically 100 to 150 m long and 300 to 1,150 mm in diameter. Special nozzles are used to propel a hose connected to a vacuum truck down the pipeline and back using water jets. The nozzle must supply enough force to dislodge any debris and carry it back using water pressure to be suctioned out by the vacuum truck. Industrial plants cannot afford production downtime, so contractors rely on high-performance nozzles to get the job done quickly and reliably. Using the right nozzle and technique can be the difference between cleaning out a pipe within 20 minutes or having it take hours, days, or even fail completely.

50 | April 2022

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OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE There are tiers of nozzles rated for performance and water efficiency: Tier 1 (about 30% efficient), Tier 2 (50 – 60% efficient), and Tier 3 (75 – 98% efficient). Low-performance Tier 1 nozzles tend to use only 30% of the available energy, wasting 70% due to excessive turbulence. Tier 2 nozzles are more efficient, but still inadequate for tougher jobs. Tier 3 nozzles have tight water patterns that efficiently clean pipe floors and walls. These units also create a powerful water stream that not only moves debris long distances, but also propels the nozzle. What sets the most efficient Tier 3 nozzles apart from others in the category is fluid mechanics engineering on a par with the aerodynamics of race cars or jet fighters. In the case of KEG’s Tier 3 nozzles, the high-performance fluid mechanics design leaves little room for power losses and excessive turbulence. For wastewater applications, contractors can use floor cleaner and spinning style nozzles. As the name suggests, these nozzles travel along the floor of large diameter pipe, and focus high-pressure water from hoses through an assortment of jets. The directed, high-pressure water is ideal for removing sludge, mud, compacted materials, and heavy debris (rocks, bricks, broken concrete, etc.) from industrial pipes, storm lines and sanitary lines.

Contractors can also use a unique rotating nozzle to remove stubborn debris from pipes. KEG’s Duce Nozzle utilizes water driven rotation and vibration to create a unique “jackhammer” action to remove grout and mortar residue, scaling, tuberculation, or other deposits that have hardened to the pipe floor or wall. This approach is more efficient than cutting and milling out the material, but is not recommended for clay pipes. When a severe blockage is identified, chain cutter nozzles are designed to cut through difficult obstructions and thick root masses. 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. For more information, visit: www.kegtechnologies.net

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WATER QUALITY

Barrier used for Gull Bay First Nation’s shoreline restoration project

n June of 2021, Barclay Construction approached Layfield Group Ltd. requesting assistance on a shoreline restoration project for Ontario Power Generation within the Gull Bay First Nation community in Gull Bay, Ontario. The project required that approximately 1.2 km of shoreline be isolated from Lake Nipigon, with a watertight barrier to prevent water from interrupting construction efforts and preventing construction runoff from entering the fishing waters offshore. It would need to be in place for approximately four to six months. The barrier would need to be provided within a month and be able to handle varying water levels of up to one metre in height. It also would have to remain in place when battered by waves and windstorms. Layfield proposed building custom AquaDams® that would span the entire length of the shoreline. The bulk of the proposed barrier would consist of 16, 1.2

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The project required that approximately 1.2 km of shoreline be isolated from Lake Nipigon with a watertight barrier.

m tall x 74 m long custom sections, and three of the company’s newly designed, double closed-ended 1.2 m tall x 30 m long sections. After agreeing on the plan, Barclay Construction placed the order on June 7, 2021. Layfield’s manufacturing plant quickly got to work on the order. In record time, 1.2 km long by 1.2 m tall custom AquaDam sections were built within seven days. They were shipped out from Layfield’s Edmonton facility to Gull Bay, where they arrived on June 16. Layfield crews arrived in Gull Bay on June 23 and worked with Barclay Construction

to install the dam sections in nine days, leaving the site ahead of schedule on June 30. With the AquaDams being built, delivered, and installed within a three-week timeline, Barclay Construction could focus on the shoreline restoration work. The First Nation community of Gull Bay, Ontario Power Generation and Barclay Construction were pleased with the effectiveness and high level of protection the AquaDams provided to the sensitive offshore fishing waters of Gull Bay. For more information, visit www.layfieldgroup.com

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

SITE REMEDIATION

Nova Scotia tenders investigations into impacts of more than 70 former mines

ast March, after Nova Scotia identified nearly 70 sites it plans to assess and potentially remediate, officials have now added five more sites to its long list of areas contaminated during the province’s first gold rush era. Nova Scotia Lands has issued a tender, seeking companies to study the five added sites and determine remediation options for each, as well as the human health and ecological risks. In most cases, the province is looking for more than a decade’s worth of geotechnical experience at contaminated sites. Montague Gold Mines and Goldenville are two sites which officials predicted would be the most contaminated on the overall list. They have already been assessed and will cost an estimated $60 million to remediate. During the late 1800s, contaminants such as arsenic and mercury were often dumped on land or in waterways around the gold mines, due to an absence of environmental oversight. Mercury extracted the gold, and the arsenic naturally found in the rocks was released in large quantities through the mining process. Now, the province is currently beginning what many see as its fourth gold rush era, particularly on the eastern shore. Among the five new additions to the list, the Gold Brook Lake and Seal Harbour mine sites operated in the late 1800s to early 1900s and have been dormant since the 1950s. “During operation, large quantities of mine tailings were slurried directly into the upper reaches of Gold Brook,” the tender document background states. “These tailings may be seen on the floodplain for at least four kilometres downstream of the Richardson Mill site.” These mine tailings contain high concentrations of arsenic and mercury. The new addition, the Ocean Street Former Steel Plant site located in Sydney Mines is from 1902 and used many coke ovens in the steel making process. The site now contains significant remnants of slag piles, crumbling building foundations, coaly waste rock, and an approxi-

and was active between 1861 and 1934, recovering approximately 3,865 troy oz. of gold, according to the tender document. Tailings sampling of the site’s tailings area conducted in 2003 indicated elevated concentrations of arsenic and mercury. The total area considered to be potentially contaminated is 34,093 m2, with an estimated 8,217 tonnes of tailings. The former Lake Enon Mill site was developed in the mid-1960s and was Lake Enon is one of five new sites added operational from 1969 through 1975 or to Nova Scotia’s long list of areas it hopes 1976 by Kaiser Celestite Mining. The to environmentally assess and potentially tender document states that known or remediate. Credit: Nova Scotia Lands suspected contamination includes mine rock dumps, a moderate sized tailings mate area of 15,126 m2 of coaly mine tail- area and domestic garbage. In 2018, Dilings, according to the tender document. lon Consulting reported evidence of Mooseland became the first officially ongoing illegal dumping on-site. designated gold district in Nova Scotia, Waste Water products plus NMac 4.65 x 4.65.pdf 1 1/24/2018 7:37:09 AM

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Hybrid Conference #AWWAACE Learn more at awwa.org/ace

San Antonio, Texas, USA June 12–15, 2022

ACE22 Highlights:

Can’t travel to ACE22 this year?

• Opening general session speaker: Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen of NASA • A total of 88 sessions, many with CEU credit • Fan-favorite competitions, like Pipe Tapping • Exhibit Hall with giveaways, product demonstrations and networking opportunities • Facility tours and pre-conference workshops • The Alamo, River Walk, and other San Antonio attractions

You can still be part of the action! Over 30 hours of material on these highlighted topics will be presented in a hybrid manner, with both in–person and online audience participation. Featured track topics: • Water Quality Challenges: Lead and PFAS • Asset Management • Infrastructure Insights • Utility Management

WATER

New Mackenzie River Basin report combines indigenous and scientific knowledge

he Mackenzie River Basin covers one-fifth of Canada’s landmass, or about 1.8 million square kilometres, in the western and northern provinces and territories, and consists of six sub-basins. While the population in the basin is less than half a million people, the Mackenzie River serves a major role in regulating global ocean circulation and Arctic climatic systems. The basin is home to and has spiritual, cultural, and food security significance for Indigenous communities. On behalf of the Mackenzie River Basin Board and a technical steering committee, Environment and Climate Change Canada retained Associated Engineering Consultants (AE) and Integral Ecology Group to conduct an aquatic health assessment of the basin. The result of the assessment is the State of the Aquatic Ecosystem Report (SOAER) that guides the board’s decision making. The board includes representatives from federal and provincial/territorial governments, and Indigenous organizations. One of its duties is to conduct an assessment every five years. The first report was published in 2003. The 2021 edition of the report describes changes to the aquatic ecosystem health, furthers the understanding of conditions and developments in the Mackenzie River Basin, and educates residents on the ecosystem through an intuitive, interactive, and user-friendly website (www.soaer.ca). This is the first time this report has been developed following a braided approach, which includes Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific knowledge. The project team had to figure out how to tell a braided story, bringing together and respecting the value of these knowledge systems, and present a holistic understanding of current conditions and environmental change in the watershed. The project team collaborated extensively with Environment and Climate Change Canada representatives and the Mackenzie River Basin Board committee members to ensure the knowledge systems and braiding are current, representative, and complete for this immense and complex trans-boundary basin. According to Senior Aquatic Scientist, Dörte Koster, “climate change was identified as the most common cause for changes in aquatic ecosystem signs and signals, indicating a widespread impact of this stressor on aquatic ecosystem health across the basin. Increased air temperatures and, to a lesser degree, changes in precipitation patterns, have changed ice and flow patterns in rivers, reduced snow cover in many areas, reduced water levels in deltas, and impacted water quality in northern parts of the basin through permafrost slumps.” Koster adds that the quality of habitat, such as wetlands in deltas and distribution of fish species, has also been altered. Climate change has also affected access to traditional land-use areas, in particular during the winter in the northern part of www.esemag.com @ESEMAG

The Mackenzie River Basin covers one-fifth of Canada’s landmass.

the basin, and thus has impacted the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. Land use has also impacted aquatic ecosystem health in the basin in many ways, in particular in the Peace and Athabasca sub-basins. Fishing pressure has likely been a contributing factor in many of the historical fish population declines in lakes and rivers across the basin. A lesson learned from this study is the complementary nature of Indigenous and Western scientific knowledge sources. Together, they paint a much clearer picture of the status of aquatic ecosystem health and the key pressures upon it, than would be possible by either knowledge system alone. Key changes in the aquatic ecosystem include rising air temperatures, variable water levels, reduced populations of wetland-dependent wildlife, contamination of water and fish, and increased concentrations of ions in rivers. Information Systems Developer, Jase Zwarich, said that, “we worked together to present the online web report in a way that is both appealing and interactive for multiple audiences – residents, decision makers, and government.” For more information, contact Rebekka Lindskoog, Associated Engineering. Email: lindskoogr@ae.ca

April 2022 | 55

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The new Ecobloc SMART series of stormwater infiltration modules replaces Maxx ACUTE provides comprehensive health & Inspect Flex with superior perforand safety training, including: Joint mance (96% efficiency). It offers ultraHealth and Safety Committee Part 1 & 2 deep installation, up to 7.5m burial; vehiand Recertification; Working at Heights cle loading up to 60t (HS-25 loading); Initial and Refresher; Confined Space Elevating Work Platform enhanced access for cleanout/inspection Entry(Scissor & Rescue; and many more!Lift) and Boom – every row is inspectable; and, improved ACUTE EnvironmentalFit Testing Quantitative logistics (up to 10 – 15% more blocks per & Safety Services container). Can handle heavy loads, such Working at Heights T: 519-747-5075 as crane operation areas, and special (Initial and Refresher) F: 519-747-4608 applications, such as container terminals, E:Confined info@acuteservices.com Space Entry/Rescue heavy machine operating yards, etc. W: www.acuteservices.com And Many More! BARR Plastics T: 800-665-4499 E: info@barrplastics.com Call or Visit us today W: www.barrplastics.com

and Safety Training Centre

730 Bridge Street West - Unit 3, Waterloo, Ontario, N2V 2J4 Phone: (519) 747-5075, Fax: (519) 747-4608 e-mail: info@acuteservices.com web: www.acuteservices.com

A+

THERMOPLASTIC BALL AND BUTTERFLY VALVES AUTOMATIC STRAINER

This 4 "automatic strainer was custom designed for the removal of suspended solids from a high temperature bitumen blend in a manufacturing plant. The double vessel allows the unit to be heated with thermal oil to maintain the process fluid’s temperature and keep the viscosity low. For more information, please contact us. ACME Engineering Products T: 514-342-5656 E: info@acmeprod.com W: www.acmeprod.com

56 | April 2022

Asahi/America’s Type-21 Ball Valves and Type-57P Butterfly Valves provide a dependable and economical way to handle corrosive chemicals, including sulfuric and hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, oxidizing chemicals, caustics, solvents, halogens, and various other hostile fluids. They perform at temperatures up to 250°F, pressures up to 230 PSI, and flows up to 18,500 GPM. All valves are backed by an industry-leading three-year warranty. Asahi/America T: 800-343-3618 E: asahi@asahi-america.com W: www.asahi-america.com

PERISTALTIC DOSING PUMP

Standardize on one chemical feed solution with FLEXFLO® M1 Peristaltic Dosing Pump. The M1 will not vapour lock and never loses prime. This self-priming chemical feed pump delivers smooth, consistent, and precise chemical dosing. SCADA inputs include: 4-20 mA feed output range; .0001 – 5.6 GPH (.0004 – 21.2 LPH), pressures to 100 PSI (6.89 Bar). The M1 pump achieves a 10,000:1 turndown ratio and is powered by an efficient BLDC motor technology. Blue-White Industries T: 714-893-8529 F: 714-894-9492 E: info@blue-white.com W: www.blue-white.com

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

PRODUCT & SERVICE SHOWCASE

THE DIAPHRAGM PUMP THAT WON’T VAPOUR LOCK

The CHEM-FEED® MD3 Multi-Diaphragm Metering Pump delivers precision chemical feed for the treatment of municipal water and wastewater. The MD3 has 2000:1 turndown, and smooth chemical dosing with no pulsation dampener required. With 380 strokes per minute, it provides a remarkably steady flow. The near continuous flow results in no gas buildup or loss of prime. The drop-in-place design of MD3, along with conveniently built-in controls, makes installation and set up fast and efficient. Blue-White Industries T: 714-893-8529 F: 714-894-9492 E: info@blue-white.com W: www.blue-white.com

ROTARY LOBE PUMPS

Boerger’s BLUEline Rotary Lobe Pumps are engineered for low maintenance and high performance. These pumps feature pulsation-free operation and dry-run capabilities, which are key to avoiding downtime. Finally, the best part? These pumps were designed with maintenance in place (MIP)—which means you can service them without having to take them offline. Boerger T: 612-435-7300 E: america@boerger.com W: www.boerger.com

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ROAD MAINTENANCE

Consider a proactive approach to road maintenance this year. Many municipalities and private companies are utilizing Denso’s polymer modified–bitumen asphalt joint tapes to prevent water infiltration at joints. DensoBand and Denso Reinstatement Tape provide a permanent, flexible barrier between hot asphalt and steel, concrete and existing asphalt. Great for bridges, railway crossings and utility cuts. Contact Denso for more information. Denso North America T: 416-291-3435 E: sales@densona-ca.com W: www.densona.com

CHLORINE SCALE

The Chlor-Scale 150™ from Force Flow provides a simple and reliable way to monitor the amount of chlorine or ammonia used, and the amount remaining in the cylinder. The solid PVC scale platform, with a 5-year warranty, provides the strongest defense against the corrosive environments associated with gas feed applications. Electronic and hydraulic options. Force Flow T: 800-893-6723 E: info@forceflow.com W: www.forceflowscales.com

CONTROL CYANOBACTERIA WITH LAKE CIRCULATORS

SolarBee© Active Lake Circulators help to control cyanobacteria (bluegreen algae) in lakes, reservoirs and ponds. Whether you manage a raw water drinking source or a recreational or stormwater pond, a key component for cyanobacteria control is to circulate the epilimnion, the upper layer of water. One solar powered circulator can treat up to 35 acres. Greatario T: 866-299-3009 E: info@greatario.com W: www.greatario.com/greatwater

WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM

Harmsco’s WaterGuard™ Water Filtration System provides a “Whole House” water purification device that combines multiple filtration technologies utilizing ultraviolet sterilization. It is designed as a fail-safe unit that continuously improves the water supply by acting as a multi-layer drinking water sediment filter, adsorber and sterilizer. Harmsco Filtration Products T: 800-327-3248 E: sales@harmsco.com W: www.harmsco.com

April 2022 | 57

PRODUCT & SERVICE SHOWCASE

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 | April 2022

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

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

CONTROLLER FOR LEVEL SENSORS

The VEGAMET 841 is a robust controller and display instrument for level sensors. It provides a clear and easy-to-read (at distance) user-programmable display. Set up is fast thanks to simple intuitive menu navigation and application wizards. It provides secure, user-friendly wireless operation via Bluetooth with smartphone, tablet or PC. VEGA Instruments, Canada T: 833-538-8342 E: canadaquotes@vega.com W: www.vega.com

UNIVERSAL PRESSURE TRANSMITTER

VEGABAR 38 is a pressure sensor with switching function, and a ceramic measuring cell. Its benefits include: Simple inventory management thanks to configurable signal output; simple setup thanks to large on-site display with VDMA operation and additional texts; and simple integration into control systems through IO-Link communication. VEGA Instruments, Canada T: 833-538-8342 E: canadaquotes@vega.com W: www.vega.com

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

ES&E NEWS FIVE LONG-TERM WATER ADVISORIES LIFTED AT MOHAWKS OF BAY OF QUINTE FIRST NATION

effects of deicing salt say their results show that current water quality guidelines across Europe and North America are not enough to protect lakes from salinization. The research network for the study involved 16 sites in four countries and dozens of scientists. They believe that the road salt problem has flown well

under society’s radar, particularly in terms of its effects on zooplankton. These organisms are key members of the food web that clear lakes of algae, but are also food for fish. At 80% of the study sites, chloride concentration thresholds that caused a more than 50% reduction in zooplankton were continued overleaf…

Delivering clean water solutions for 60 years The plant won an award in 2017 from Ontario Public Works. Credit: First Nations Engineering Services Ltd.

Newly-built water treatment plant connections have allowed the federal government to lift five long-term drinking water advisories for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation in southern Ontario. The advisories had been in effect since 2008 on five water systems in the Belleville-area community. Now, the new connections to the water distribution system mean access to clean, reliable drinking water for approximately 280 homes, 20 semi-public buildings and 756 community members. The water treatment plant connections were phase three of the $19.5-million project, which began in early 2021 under funding from Indigenous Services Canada. The wells that had been in use have now been decommissioned as homes and buildings were connected to the water distribution system. Planning for the next phase of the project is expected to cost about $30 million and provide water to an additional 280 homes. In 2019, the community added nearly 23 kilometres of water distribution pipe. The work included five separate watermain extensions (for a combined total of 8,094 metres in length) and the installation of a below-grade cistern. Phase two of the project also included the construction of an elevated water storage reservoir.

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS NOT PROTECTING LAKES FROM ROAD SALT, GLOBAL STUDY FINDS Researchers who conducted a large crowdsourced global experiment on the

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ES&E NEWS at or below the governments’ established chloride thresholds, triggering a cascading increase in phytoplankton biomass or microscopic freshwater algae. Study contributor Dr. Andrea Kirkwood, Associate Professor of Biology at Ontario Tech University, notes that just one teaspoon (about five grams) of salt in a typical large water cooler jug can be harmful for aquatic organisms. Despite this danger, she says the acceptable threshold for chloride concentration in Canada is 120 milligrams per litre, while in the U.S., it is considerably less stringent at 230 milligrams per litre. “Changes caused by rising salinity alter nutrient cycling, water quality and

P: 519-763-0700 F: 519-763-6684 48 Dawson Road Guelph, ON N1H 5V1

clarity, and instigate growth and population declines in economically important fish species,” says Dr. Kirkwood in a statement about the study. “Governments need to reassess current threshold concentrations to protect lakes from salinization due to sodium chloride, one of the most common salt types leading to freshwater salinization,” she added.

would expedite drinking water testing for three remote northern First Nations communities. The testing facility will house a system made by Canadian water technology firm TECTA-PDS that’s capable of providing laboratory-grade results on-site with time-to-result performance. If bacteria are found in any water sample, an early warning notice is sent out, allowing for a faster response to adverse water STREAMLINED WATER TESTS quality tests by the Indigenous commuFOR NORTHERN MB FIRST nities of Pikwitonei, Thicket Portage and NATIONS COMMUNITIES Nelson House. Manitoba officials are investing in an Manitoba Environment, Climate and automated microbiology testing sys- Parks Minister Jeff Wharton said that tem based in the City of Thompson that sending water quality samples to Winnipeg has proven challenging, and that the new $30,000 investment in the TECTA system will streamline the testing process. Pikwitonei Mayor Brenda Flett said that water samples previously sent to Winnipeg were often in danger of getting lost or damaged due to temperature fluctuations during transport. “Having the testing location closer will allow us to get results faster with easier delivery,” announced Flett in a joint statement. Officials said that they hope the new Insitu Groundwater Contractors testing protocol will ultimately help to reduce potential water advisories within • Dewatering systems the communities. The water samples will • Mobile groundwater treatment systems be collected and then delivered to the • Well and pump installation and maintenance Thompson testing facility, which is within • Pump, filter, generator rentals • Sediment tank rentals 70 kilometres of all three communities • Insitu groundwater remediation systems partnering on the pilot program. The TECTA machine will analyze the sample www.insitucontractors.com and automatically report results directly to the province’s Office of Drinking Water.

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60 | April 2022

Global chemical production increased 50-fold since 1950. It is projected to triple again by 2050 compared to 2010. This aggressive pace may outstrip society’s ability to adequately assess and monitor the risk, pushing the planet to the brink, a new study suggests. There are an estimated 350,000 chemicals or mixtures on the global market, with nearly 70,000 registered in the past decade. There are another 30,000 that have only been registered in emerging economies, where chemical production has jumped beyond adequate disposal capacity. Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

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ABB.......................................................3 ACG-Envirocan .................................63 ACO Systems......................................18 Asahi/America....................................37 Associated Engineering....................10 Avensys...............................................37 AWI......................................................15 AWWA..................................................54 AWWAO...............................................32 BARR Plastics.....................................31 BDP Industries.....................................2 Bio Pro Distributions.........................33 Blue-White............................................7 Boerger...............................................14 Boost Environmental........................19 Cancoppas..........................................51 CB Shield............................................11 Chemline Plastics..............................30

“Chemical pollution has the potential to cause severe ecosystem and human health problems at different scales, (but also to alter vital Earth system processes on which human life depends),” begins the study’s introduction in the scientific journal Environmental Science and Technology. The range of manufactured chemicals, from plastics to pesticides, industrial chemicals, antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals, has pushed Earth beyond one of what scientists interpret as nine planetary boundaries that act as markers for its health. These boundaries include greenhouse gas emissions, the ozone layer, forests, freshwater and biodiversity. However, chemical pollution may have breached the boundary referred to as “novel entities,” or things made by humans and introduced into the environment. The new study, in part, reviews the evolution of the scientific discussion related to the planetary boundary for novel entities. The scientists acknowledged the data was sparse in many areas, but said the weight of evidence indicated a breach of the planetary boundary. “Knowledge is lacking of the poten-

tial for adverse effects caused by the high number of chemicals, with limited data on chemical mixtures as found in the environment, produced intentionally and unintentionally,” the study states about the lack of ability to monitor chemicals. Researchers said stronger regulation is critical to address the challenge of fast-paced chemical development and suggested a fixed cap on chemical production and release. The chemical pollution planetary boundary is the fifth of nine that scientists say have been crossed. The other four are: climate change, loss of biosphere integrity, land-system change, and altered biogeochemical cycles (phosphorus and nitrogen).

Crane Pumps & Systems...................17 Denso ...................................................9 Endress+Hauser.................................29 Flottweg.............................................23 Greatario............................................24 Harmsco...............................................8 Imbrium..............................................64 Interprovincial Corrosion Control....19 IPEX.....................................................27 LimeGREEN Equipment Rental........21 NETZSCH.............................................53 OACETT...............................................38 ORIVAL................................................39 Pro Aqua...............................................5 Rain It In.............................................52 REGENESIS.........................................35 Service Filtration...............................48 SPD Sales............................................49 VEGA Canada......................................13 Vissers.................................................25 Waste Go Canada...............................33

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April 2022 | 61

WATER

PEI scientist researching natural solutions for sustainable water By Brett van Heyningen

r. Audrey Murray is an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientist based in Prince Edward Island (PEI). Through her research at the Charlottetown Research and Development Centre, she is exploring ways to both preserve water resources and care for the ecosystems surrounding agricultural lands. Dr. Murray thinks the way to address this big challenge is by using some innovative natural solutions. “In the past decade, we have realized that food, water, and energy production are connected, as they are in nature. The guiding philosophy for research has been based on an ecosystem-wide approach to finding environmentally friendly agricultural water-use practices. Working with and for our natural ecosystem will help us identify more ways to sustainably manage and conserve our water,” says Dr. Murray. For farmers, water is an especially precious and important resource, and field and weather conditions affect how much water is available to crops versus how much drains off to surrounding lands. Through the Living Lab-Atlantic project in PEI, Dr. Murray is studying ways to prevent water runoff from agricultural lands. Since PEI has well-draining soils, farmers often see water and nutrients running through the soil quickly during rain events. Sometimes, water drains too quickly for farmers to make good use of it for their crops and animals, and the runoff can affect nearby streams and rivers. “Farmers are acutely aware of these issues. I’m interested in supporting them to implement easy and cost-effective solutions to remove potentially harmful chemicals and nutrients from the water cycle to mitigate the effect to the entire ecosystem on PEI,” says Dr. Murray. One of these solutions involves constructing wetlands on farmland. Creating one can help to naturally filter water from farm fields before it enters other watercourses, and provides natural habitats for diverse species, such as plants, insects, amphibians, birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife. They can even play a role in sequestering carbon, which can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change. The Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation (Souris Wildlife) has already constructed several wetlands on PEI, and Dr. Murray is collecting data at these sites to determine their efficiency in filtering water. Thanks to this work, more PEI farmers are getting involved with redeveloping wetlands and seeing the value they bring to farms and the environment. Through her research, Dr. Murray is also investigating using vegetated drain ditches on farms to filter water runoff. Farmers commonly construct drainage ditches around farmlands as a way to direct water runoff. Allowing vegetation to grow and 62 | April 2022

Dr. Murray is studying how constructed wetlands (shown here) and vegetated drain ditches on farmland can capture and filter water runoff.

thrive in these ditches provides a natural way to filter water from farm fields. Vegetated drain ditches produce beneficial environmental results similar to wetlands, just on a smaller scale. It is a practice originally developed in the Mississippi River deltas. Through the years, research has shown that allowing vegetation to grow in drain ditches is a much more environmentally friendly and economical way for farmers to slow down the flow of water from farms and naturally filter it. “We’re collaborating with several PEI farmers and Souris Wildlife to construct these vegetated drain ditches, starting this spring, and then will study their effectiveness to improve water quality in cooler Maritime climates.” Dr. Murray hopes that farmers can eventually have several natural options available to filter farm runoff. She explains that “other technologies, such as grass headlands and willow trees, are currently in use on PEI to improve water and soil quality and protect streams. Allowing for different options that can be used separately and together will help farmers integrate agricultural land better into our natural ecosystem.” Brett van Heyningen is with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Email: brett.vanheyningen@agr.gc.ca

Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine

Have You Worked in Our Industry for Over 175 Years? Well, we have! At ACG-Envirocan, we understand that you come across new problems and requirements every day. That’s why it’s important that you have a trusted company with the experience and know-how to find the right solutions for you. Since 1981, ACG-Envirocan’s staff have helped some of Ontario’s leading municipalities and corporations solve their wastewater, water and stormwater issues. With a combined 175+ years of experience in this industry there’s virtually no problem we can’t overcome, big or small. Through the years ACG-Envirocan has built long-term, trust-based relationships with consulting engineers, municipal engineers, treatment plant operators and municipal managers. Some of the world’s best manufacturers and technology providers have chosen us to be the face of their businesses, because they trust ACG-Envirocan to bring their products and services to the market – by ethical and honest means, while providing the knowledge to make your project a success. We have become one of the leading wastewater, water and stormwater providers in the industry because our years of experience result in determining the right solution for people like you. To find out how we can help you with your next project, please call 905.856.1414 or email sales@acg-envirocan.ca today.

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IMBRIUM SYSTEMS – info@imbriumsystems.com | (416) 960-9900 Stormceptor is manufactured and sold under license: Alberta to W. Ontario – Lafarge (403) 292-9502 British Columbia – Langley Concrete Group (604) 533-1656 Ontario – Forterra Pipe & Precast Inc. (519) 622-7574 Quebec – Lécuyer & Fils Ltée (514) 861-5623 Maritimes - Strescon Limited (506) 633-8877