A Moment with the Mayor: Oil

and wastewater don’t mix

The adage “oil and water don’t mix” really applies to the new mechanical wastewater treatment facility.

Oil, especially the topgrade heavy oil we produce around our community that feeds the heavy oil refinery and the upgrader, is particularly damaging to the system.

Oil has always been a problem for the City of Lloydminster wastewater treatment team.

Every now and then oil makes its way into the wastewater stream and wreaks havoc.

How does this happen? Before becoming mayor, I worked with heavy oil in various fields within the industry, so I have witnessed ways that oil could become a problem.

Heavy oil is not the easiest substance to produce, and once it starts to warm up, it changes entirely in its abilities.

A heated bay or shop changes the oil’s properties from almost solid to a more movable liquid.

A hose that falls off a designated holder may be all it takes for the oil to seep from the hose and into the floor drain. Motor oil could equally cause issues with the system.

This is why floor drains are supposed to be maintained and not allow for oils to enter the drainage system.

Our new mechanical wastewater facility will use proven membrane bioreactors to purify our wastewater before releasing it into the environment.

The membranes have a lifespan of 12-15 years before replacement if properly maintained and have not been contaminated by oil.

If they come into contact with oil, they require immediate cleaning and may require replacement if not successful, which is expensive. per is served at 6 p.m., then dance the night away to the tunes Red Deer’s The Plaiders. A big thank-you to Vera Gallant for sponsoring our band this month! Reserved tickets only! Cost is $25/person for supper and the dance. Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more info or to reserve your tickets.

We have taken several steps during the design and construction of the new facility to deal with oil should it make its way to the plant.

The facility has specialized equipment and procedures which would immediately be implemented if oil is detected.

We’ll be sharing more information with the industry, businesses and property owners in the near future about how important it is to keep oil out of the wastewater system. We’ll also share the associated costs if oil makes its way into our processes.

QuitCore Tobacco Cessation Group

Offered free by the Lloydminster Primary Care Network starting March 6 at 2 p.m. The program runs once weekly for 6 weeks and is led by trained facilitators. Get the support you need to quit for good. Call 780874-0490 or email heatherm@lloydpcn.ca for more information or to register.

Job Fair

The Lloydminster and Region Job Fair is taking place at the Gold Horse Casino on March 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All employers wishing to host a table can register by calling 780-875-9013 or email tinisha@lloydminsterchamber.com

Reapers Info Night

Come to Cheers in Lloydminster to learn about rugby in our community on March 10 at 7 p.m. We are hoping to get enough interest to revamp the Reapers teams.

Jamboree