Down the Drain How Effectively Are We Managing Our Wastewater? - Overcoming the 'Yuck' Factor - Water Canada
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 Down the Drain How Effectively Are We Managing Our Wastewater? Overcoming the ‘Yuck’ Factor Renewing Water Infrastructure Digital Transformation
Mark your calendars!
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
CANADIAN WATER SUMMIT
VOLUME 21 NUMBER 5 JUNE 1 to JUNE 3, 2022
NIAGARA FALLS
DRINKING WATER WASTERSHED
MANAGEMENT
8 Renewing Water
Infrastructure 25 A Collaborative Future
Survey says environmental 12 Moving towards the sustainable
considerations are a major management of the Wolastoq River.
factor for asset renewal BY MOLLY DEMMA
strategies in Canada. AND JAMYLYNN MCDONALD
BY SIMRAN CHATTHA
AND CONNIE VITELLO BLUE ECONOMY
28 Innovating in
STORMWATER
the Blue Economy
12 Building Resilience What does the term “innovation” mean
in the context of the Blue Economy?
Green roofs help Canadian 16
cities adapt to climate change. BY SIMRAN CHATTHA
BY SASHSA AGUILERA
AND KAREN LIU COLUMN
30 Open Access Water Data
WASTEWATER Reflecting on the importance of open
access water data for transparent
16 Overcoming the
and inclusive decisions.
‘Yuck’ Factor
BY CAROLYN DUBOIS
Alberta pilot project
produces beer made
22 DEPARTMENTS
with treated wastewater.
BY JOHN TENPENNY 5 Editor’s Note
20 Digital SIMRAN CHATTHA reflects
Transformation on the evolving Blue Economy.
How will digital 6 Front
transformation make Recommendations for Canada’s
municipal water management First National Infrastructure
more resilient? Assessment, Class Action Litigation
BY STEVE MCDOWELL Related to Drinking Water.
22 Wastewater Reuse 25 32 People & Events
Alberta releases new Appointments, announcements,
guidelines for dealing and event reports.
with wastewater 34 H2Opinion
and stormwater. Hidden Leakages
BY SAUL CHERNOS BY NADIA TODOROVA
34
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 3
EDITOR’S NOTE
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
VOLUME 21 NUMBER 5
The New
EDITOR Blue Economy
Simran Chattha
BY SIMRAN CHATTHA
CONTENT DIRECTOR
Corinne Lynds
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, balances needs with availability,
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
John Tenpenny, Connie Vitello our team at Water Canada has etc.). It should also be updated
ART DIRECTOR AND SENIOR DESIGNER
been hosting a series of panel to include economic activities
Donna Endacott discussions as part of the Blue (i.e., identifying and supporting
ADVERTISING Economy Webinar Series. the sustainable development
Jackie Pagaduan jackie@actualmedia.ca The series kicked off with a of business sectors that depend
CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS discussion about how the term on water like fisheries, tourism,
Sasha Aguilera, Saul Chernos, Molly Demma, Blue Economy is currently beverage, mining, etc.).
Carolyn DuBois, Karen Liu, Jamylynn
defined and how we believe it
McDonald, Steve McDowell, Nadia Todorova 3 Activities, like offshore oil
should be defined. Currently,
DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER and gas, that have the potential
Shannon Clark predominant definitions of
to harm our water resources
the term are synonymous with
EVENT MANAGER should not be included in the new
Natasha Mawji ocean resources. Our team at
definition of Blue Economy.
PRESIDENT Water Canada believes that this
Todd Latham definition of the Blue Economy 4 Jurisdictional silos need to be
PUBLISHER is too narrow and that it needs broken down to better support
Nick Krukowski to be expanded to encompass the water governance. In other
ADVISOR broader water sector. words, collaboration is needed
James Sbrolla between all levels of government.
For this reason, we have
WATER AMBASSADOR
been exploring topics like what 5 Innovation is typically
Lee Scarlett
governance looks like within thought of in the context of water
the new Blue Economy, what technology. However, it can be
innovation looks like, and how used in a much broader context
we can increase diversity within in the Blue Economy. In other
the new Blue Economy. words, the term “innovation” can
There are several key be used to refer to an improvement
takeaways from the discussions in a process, product, or service
that have taken place so far with that leads to an improvement
industry experts: in performance.
Water Canada is published six 1 There is support for expanding Be sure to join us over the
times a year by Actual Media Inc.
the definition of Blue Economy coming months as we continue
to include more than ocean to explore the key elements of the
ACTUAL MEDIA INC.
resources. new Blue Economy. WC
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for $39.95/year or $64.95/two years. support water stewardship (i.e., Simran Chattha is the editor
©
2021 Actual Media Inc. All rights reserved. protecting water bodies, using of Water Canada.
The contents of this publication may not be water resources in a way that simran@actualmedia.ca
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ISSN 1715-670X
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 5
FEATURE CONTRIBUTORS FRONT
SASHA AGUILERA
Sasha is the design
ambassador at Next Level
Stormwater Management.
Pg. 12
KAREN LIU
Karen is the is the Green
Roof Specialist at Next Level
Stormwater Management.
Pg. 12
STEVE MCDOWELL
Steve is a senior sales
consultant for Schneider
Electric Canada
Pg. 20
CAROLYN DUBOIS
Carolyn is the executive
Recommendations Released
for Canada’s First National
director of the Water
Program at DataStream
Pg. 30
Infrastructure Assessment
ABOUT THE COVER Recommendations have been Canada We Want in 2050”—sought input
released for Moving Forward on the from the public, Indigenous communities
The way that we’re National Infrastructure Assessment, and organizations, provinces, territories,
managing our wastewater, which summarizes consultation municipalities, and stakeholders on three
and what we’re doing with findings to inform Canada’s first
main priorities of the assessment:
National Infrastructure Assessment.
our wastewater, is evolving. The announcement was made by Assessing Canada’s infrastructure
Learn more on page 16. Catherine McKenna, minister of needs and establishing a
infrastructure and communities, long-term vision.
Tamara Vrooman, chair of the Canada Improving coordination among
Coming up in the next issue Infrastructure Bank, and Jan De Silva, infrastructure owners and funders.
president and CEO of Toronto Region
Determining the best ways to
Board of Trade.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER “Our well-being, our prosperity, fund and finance infrastructure.
and our success in tackling climate Over 300 organizations and individuals
PFAS Treatment Technologies change over the coming decades will shared their views and ideas, providing
depend on many things, including essential information on how the
Decomissioning Dams smart investments in 21st century National Infrastructure Assessment
infrastructure that support a net-zero might address these three priorities.
economy and a stronger quality of
Increasing Diversity Their submissions were clear. There
life for all Canadians,” said McKenna.
is strong support for an independent
“Through the recommendations
PLUS: Columns, news and insights, advisory body to lead an evidence-based
for moving forward on the National
coverage on the industry’s biggest events, process to identify Canada’s infrastructure
Infrastructure Assessment, we are
people on the move, and more. needs over the near, medium, and long
working together to achieve that.”
Launched last March, the term to achieve critical economic, social,
AD BOOKING DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15 consultation—named “Building the and environmental outcomes. WC
MATERIAL DEADLINE: OCTOBER 22
DISTRIBUTION DATE: NOVEMBER 5
To reach Water Canada’s Share your story about the
influential readers in print,
contact Jackie Pagaduan at
Canadian water industry with Water Canada!
416-444-5842 ext.0112 Email Editor Simran Chattha at simran@actualmedia.ca
or jackie@actualmedia.ca
6 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
FRONT
Online at
WATERCANADA.NET
Credit: Government of Alberta
NEWS: Springbank Off-Stream
Agreement in Principle
Reservoir Project Receives Approval.
bit.ly/SpringbankProject
Reached to Resolve Class
Action Litigation Related to
Drinking Water
An Agreement in Principle has been First Nations represented in the class
reached through a negotiation process action lawsuits. The agreement includes
to resolve a national class action the following:
litigation related to safe drinking water $1.5 billion in compensation for NEWS: Quebec Announces Funding for
in First Nations communities. individuals deprived of clean Nanomaterials to Decontaminate Water.
The announcement was made by drinking water. bit.ly/QCnanomaterials
Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Curve Lake
The creation of a $400 million
First Nation, and Neskantaga First
First Nation Economic and
Nation with Indigenous Services
Cultural Restoration Fund.
Minister Marc Miller.
“I strongly believe in resolving A renewed commitment to Canada’s
important matters like this through Action Plan for the lifting of all
open dialogue grounded in the long-term drinking water advisories.
principles of co-operation, partnership, The creation of a First Nations Advisory
and transparency,” said Miller. “We are Committee on Safe Drinking Water.
proud to have worked in partnership Support for First Nations to develop
with Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Curve their own safe drinking water
Lake First Nation, and Neskantaga
NEWS: Consultation Begins on
by-laws and initiatives. Coastal Protection Act Regulations.
First Nation to establish an Agreement
A commitment of at least $6 billion bit.ly/CoastalConsultation
in Principle that lays the groundwork
to support reliable access to safe
for long-term sustainable solutions to
ensure access to clean water on reserves drinking water on reserve.
Credit: POLIS Water Sustainability Project
now and in the future.” Planned modernization of
This Agreement in Principle addresses Canada’s First Nations drinking
important concerns identified by water legislation. WC
Get your daily dose of Canadian water news
by visiting watercanada.net or by following us
NEWS: Research Reveals
on Twitter @CanadianWater
B.C.’s Watershed Sector is a Jobs
Powerhouse. bit.ly/BCpowerhouse
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 7
DRINKING WATER
Renewing Water
Infrastructure
Survey says environmental considerations are a major factor
for asset renewal strategies in Canada. BY SIMRAN CHATTHA AND CONNIE VITELLO
IN THIS SECOND PART of a two-part options—mainly rehabilitation and infrastructure renewal, including:
feature on linear water infrastructure replacement—that can be implemented,
Project objectives (age and size of
renewal, Water Canada reveals the independently, or jointly. They also
the renewal project and nearby
results of a comprehensive survey on provided insight into the priorities
developments).
current practices and opinions related involved in the decision-making
to the management, design, and process and other pressing water
Site constraints (such as a sensitive
procurement of linear public sector infrastructure issues. surface structure or geographic
water infrastructure in Canada. When it comes to linear water challenges).
Respondents revealed that infrastructure, how do municipalities
Schedule timeframes (emergency
environmental considerations are and water infrastructure owners service versus planned project).
poised to play a pivotal role in the decide how to rebuild or renew their
Client budgets.
decision-making for future asset pipelines? What are their key priorities
renewal strategies. and concerns? However, our research also revealed
Engineers and consultants from Our research in part one indicated an increasing awareness of indirect costs
across the country weighed in to that a variety of factors traditionally that are coming into play. These include
provide expert perspective on renewal impact decisions around linear water impacts to trees, interference with
8 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
DRINKING WATER
neighbourhoods, traffic congestion,
idling traffic emissions, and disruption Figure 1: When working with your municipal clients
to business patterns.
on linear water infrastructure renewal projects,
The survey, which included responses
from 375 participants, echoed our which do you most often recommend?
research findings in many ways and
illuminated the growing appreciation
and application of green solutions and 1.60%
water quality protection.
Other
Lead infrastructure
When conducting watermain renewal
or rehabilitation an alarming number
of respondents indicated that they often
8.00% 28.27%
encounter lead infrastructure, with Depends Full open-cut
45.33 per cent selecting “sometimes” on budget replacement
and 43.33 per cent selecting “regularly.”
This could be due to the fact that
utilities don’t know where many
lead pipes are located because the
information is not available or is not
31.73%
complete. Utilities are starting to Combination 30.40%
of both
use new approaches, like artificial Trenchless
intelligence, to determine where rehabilitation
lead pipes might be located. Once solutions
utilities determine where lead pipes
are located, they will be in a better
position to address ongoing concerns
(e.g., impacts on health).
Open-cut versus trenchless
Figure 2: What are your municipal client’s priorities when
excavation solutions
When working with municipal
replacing or rehabilitating their water infrastructure?
clients on linear water infrastructure
renewal projects, respondents most
often recommend a roughly even split 100% 7.47%
12.00%
between full open-cut replacement
27.73%
and trenchless excavation solutions. 80% 15.73% 28.27%
A majority of respondents indicated 52.80%
a preference for a combination of
methods (31.73 per cent). 60% 24.80%
36.53%
28.53%
Selecting a technology
There was a relatively balanced
40% 19.47%
response when it came to consultants’
47.47%
main priorities for selecting a 20% 35.73% 28.80% 17.87%
technology for a client’s replacement or
rehabilitation of water infrastructure.
0% 6.93% 9.87%
There was a close tally between the
following priorities: Improve End of usable Replacement Need for
water life/multiple due to use greater delivery
Profit to the firm.
quality breaks of lead capacity
Reduced disruption
in the community. Ranked from 1-4, with 1 being the highest priority/reason:
Environmental impacts. 1 2 3 4
Cost to the client.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 9
DRINKING WATER
Once again, the environmental
Figure 3: As a consultant, what are your priorities impacts were the top consideration.
when selecting a technology for your client’s
Environmental benefits
replacement or rehabilitation of water infrastructure?
When discussing linear water
infrastructure projects with clients,
100%
10.13% 13.07%
do consultants ask clients to
25.07% consider environmental benefits of a
80% 26.93% 19.73%
technology when selecting a method
51.73% of replacement versus rehabilitation?
An overwhelming majority of
60% 26.40% respondents (96 per cent) indicated that
29.60% environmental benefits are a concern
33.33%
40% for clients.
24.53% 26.93%
20% A variety of factors
29.60% 37.60% 12.53%
24.00%
8.80% traditionally impact
0%
Profit Reduced Environmental Cost decisions around
to firm disruption in Impacts to the
community client linear water
Ranked from 1-4, with 1 being the highest priority/reason:
infrastructure renewal.
1 2 3 4
Waste management woes
A vast majority of respondents
Figure 4: Have you had to recommend to a municipal have had to recommend that
municipal clients replace their linear
client that they replace their linear wastewater
wastewater infrastructure in the past
infrastructure in the past 12 months due to clogs caused 12 months due to clogs caused by
by FOGs (fats, oils, and greases) or flushable wipes? FOGs (fats, oils, and greases) or
flushable wipes.
8.80% 70.67% Concluding thoughts
No Yes, The results of this survey indicate
2.40% for strong preference for green
Yes, both and innovative linear water
due to infrastructure technologies and
wipes should give consultants and
engineers across Canada the
confidence to encourage clients to
see assess the big picture—the direct
and indirect costs—when deciding
18.13% on infrastructure solutions. WC
Yes,
due to
FOGs
Simran Chattha is the editor of
Water Canada magazine.
Connie Vitello is the editor of the
Environment Journal.
10 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021STORMWATER
Credit: Greg van Riel
Building
Resilience
Green roofs help Canadian cities adapt to climate change.
BY SASHA AGUILERA AND DR. KAREN LIU
GLOBAL WARMING increases the interest in using green roofs, blue through rooftop detention mechanisms
intensity and frequency of extreme roofs, and blue-green roofs to manage that function independently of green
weather events such as heatwaves, stormwater in urban centres such as roof saturation levels.
rainstorms, and hurricanes. This Toronto and Vancouver.
summer, China, India, Germany, Evolution of rooftop
Belgium, and the U.S.A. experienced Traditional green roofs detention systems
unprecedented rains and catastrophic for retention There are different types of roof-based
floods that resulted in loss of life and Green roofs are specialized roofing detention tools on the market. They all
widespread damage. While floods systems that support vegetation growth have one characteristic in common—
are common in many parts of the on rooftops. They provide a bounty of they release water runoff at a reduced
world, climate change and rapid benefits such as improvements in air rate over a longer period of time to
urbanization have exacerbated the quality, biodiversity, urban heat island prevent the overloading of stormwater
problem. Stormwater management is a effect, and roof membrane longevity to infrastructure. All solutions have their
global challenge. name a few. They also deliver stormwater merits, and often a single project may
Low impact development (LID) management by retaining rainfall benefit from multiple approaches.
mimics a site’s natural hydrological volume in their components. Once these Blue roofs pond water on a roof
cycle to manage runoff close to its layers become fully saturated, their and slowly release it over time. Runoff
source. As land is expensive real water storage capacity is reached, and is controlled through strategically
estate, designers are turning to the excess rainfall leads to the roof drain localized flow restrictors (i.e., orifice
many rooftops, which make up 20-25 as quickly as it falls on the surface of restrictor, holes in an elevated drainpipe,
per cent of the land area in major North the green roof. Additional stormwater or a mechanical valve that opens
American cities. There is growing management benefits can be achieved and closes using smart technology).
12 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021STORMWATER
Credit: KL Design
Green roofs Friction-Detention Blue-Green
form a
part of this Green Roof Buildup Roof Buildup
amenity
terrace.
Typical system buildup for friction detention green roof and blue green roof.
They are often the most economical storage volume. Special attention must with trees, plants, grasses, rocks, and
rooftop detention tool. The technology be paid to the waterproofing membrane fallen debris. These obstacles create
was introduced in North America in the type and installation technique to ensure friction which serves to slow down the
1970’s and while effective, blue roofs warranties are valid. Lastly, standing rate of runoff. Using the principles of
have some inherent disadvantages that water may pose a risk of disease and biomimicry, a traditional green roof
have prevented them from becoming a safety issues to maintenance personnel. can be re-designed to emulate nature’s
popular stormwater water management Blue-green roofs are exactly what their friction-detention mechanism.
solution. For instance, blue roofs requirename suggests. They are essentially a Friction-detention green roofs delay
zero per cent slope to maximize water traditional green roof with a blue roof runoff and reduce peak intensity at
storage as even a one to two per cent basin below. The vegetated portion of the drainage level over the entire roof
the systems serves surface. A friction-detention mat,
to filter runoff and which is made up of thousands of very
There is a growing interest in using provide all the benefits fine vertical fibres sandwiched between
of a traditional two geotextiles, creates friction for the
green roof while the runoff. This mat allows small amounts
green roofs, blue roofs, and blue-green lower portion offers of runoff to flow through unimpeded
detention like a blue but slows down large volumes of runoff.
roofs to manage stormwater. roof. Unfortunately, As a result, runoff enters the roof
due to their similarity drains at a slower rate over a longer
with blue roofs, time, which prevents overloading the
slope can prevent the surfaces away from blue-green roofs end up inheriting most storm sewers.
the drain from being fully utilized. of a blue roof’s weaknesses. Friction-detention green roofs
However, the National Building Code support living plants and provide all
requires a minimum roof slope of two A nature-based approach the benefits of traditional green roofs.
per cent to promote positive drainage, In nature, rainfall joins the nearest stream Because the detention mechanism does
which greatly reduces a blue roof’s water after travelling a laborious path crowded not rely on single flow restrictors, it is
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 13STORMWATER
While floods are
common in many
parts of the world,
climate change and
rapid urbanization
have exacerbated
the problem.
a flexible system that is better suited to various blue-green systems. modeling program accurately predicts
more applications than blue-green roofs. Water fills and exists differently performance and calculates the
Friction-detention green roofs: given a “traditional” system using appropriate green roof profile to meet
simple drainage cups to expedite fast detention and retention requirements.
Can manage back-to-back rainfall drainage, an “enhanced retention”
events and large intense storms system with a high performing water Conclusion
regardless of antecedent weather retention layer, and a “friction-detention” A friction detention green roof combines
conditions (i.e., even when retentive green roof with both retention and retention and detention in a single
layers are completely saturated).
friction-detention layers. system. This increases the stormwater
Can be implemented on low-sloped Research has also been done to
management capacity per unit area of
roofs without losing efficiency and examine the effectiveness of the
rooftop space and maximizes the ROI.
sloped roofs effectively. friction-detention green roof by
It stores a large amount of rainwater to
Can “recharge” or repeat detention comparing hydrographs from the same
be evaporated back to the atmosphere
performance within a short time span, three systems in an actual rain test.
and delays runoff reliably during heavy
usually within 24 hours.
Calculating detention downpour to minimize flood risks.
A re particularly economical on performance Adding detention to retention on green
irregular shaped roofs where A successful friction-detention green roofs better manages stormwater and
numerous roofs drains would require roof design requires collaboration from increases resilience in our cities. WC
flow restrictors. several disciplines. Civil engineers,
architects, mechanical engineers,
The research behind and landscape architects provide
vegetated systems with project-specific details (i.e., size, Sasha Aguilera is the design ambassador
friction-detention technology location, design storm, maximum at Next Level Stormwater Management.
Green Roof Diagnostics has conducted allowable outflow rate, etc.). Using Dr. Karen Liu is the Green Roof Specialist
thousands of rain tests and research on this input data, a proprietary detention at Next Level Stormwater Management.
14 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021WASTEWATER
All photos: Riley Brandt/University of Calgary
Overcoming the ‘Yuck Factor’
Alberta pilot project produces beer made with treated wastewater.
BY JOHN TENPENNY
WATER IS A KEY INGREDIENT in the “This beer shows that water reuse Its purpose, says O’Grady, is
beer-making process. It’s so simple, it’s can be a safe and important part of “to advance best practice in water
generally an afterthought. But what if it our sustainable future,” says O’Grady. treatment—raising the bar as far as
wasn’t just any water, but the water that “Wastewater can be treated using contaminants of concern, looking at
began its life being flushed down a toilet? advanced treatment technology, environmental effects, encouraging
Water conservation was taken to a making it into a reliable and safe water innovation to do better and ideally
whole new level in the spring of 2020 in supply for many uses.” helping the municipality to save money
Calgary with a partnership between a ACWA, an initiative of the Urban in the way that they treat wastewater.”
local brewery, the University of Calgary Alliance, is a strategic partnership The idea to produce beer with treated
and Xylem Inc., which produced a limited between the university and the wastewater came from a lighthearted
batch of 1,600 cans of Village Blonde beer City of Calgary. Its research remark at a meeting where ACWA was
using treated wastewater. facility is integrated into the Pine discussing projects to collaborate on
While the idea may be unique, Creek wastewater treatment plant with water technology company Xylem.
the thought process behind it wasn’t says and includes ultrafiltration and “Yeah, we could make beer with the
Christine O’Grady, program coordinator nanofiltration membrane modules, water. Why can’t we make beer?” recalls
at the University of Calgary’s Advancing plus O3 and H2O2 oxidation with and O’Grady. “We had the technology.
Canadian Water Assets (ACWA). without UV. We had the treatment train,
16 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021WASTEWATER
Alberta’s first Christine O’Grady
beer made with (left), program director
treated wastewater at Advancing Canadian
was brewed as Wastewater Assets
a collaboration (ACWA) and Jeremy
between the McLaughlin, head
University of brewer at Village
Calgary’s Advancing Brewery.
Canadian Water
Assets (ACWA),
Village Brewery,
and Xylem Inc.
we just linked it all together.” help communities achieve water reuse excited to take part in a project that put
The project was enthusiastically by optimizing global water management sustainability front and centre.
embraced at Xylem. by saving more than 16.5 billion cubic “The big thing for us was to try and
“When we were approached about meters of water through advanced make sure that the beer tasted the exact
the idea, we thought it would fit neatly technologies that avert water loss and same as our other normal Village Blonde
into Watermark, our corporate social enable water reuse.” and we achieved that. We’re confident.”
responsibility program,” says Kevin Flis, O’Grady concurs. “I understand
client solutions manager at Xylem Digital The ‘Yuck Factor’ the yuck factor, but I knew the
Solutions. Flis adds that the company has ACWA then approached Village Brewery, technology that was treating [the water]
a strong relationship with ACWA through a local company that is “very sustainably- was very safe.”
minded,” according Alberta Health Services’ Safe Healthy
to O’Grady. Environments (AHS-SHE) provided
This beer shows that water reuse “There’s a mental
hurdle to get over of
guidance to the team as it created a water
safety plan for the project. AHS-SHE
how inherently gross supports safe and healthy communities,
can be a safe and important part this could be,” says as set out under the Public Health Act and
Jeremy McLaughlin, related legislation.
of our sustainable future. head brewer at Before being sent to the brewery,
Village Brewery. the water was treated at ACWA using
“But we know that tertiary treatment technologies including
its Calgary branch office. “Xylem is very this water is safe, we know that this beer advanced oxidation and nano-filtration.
dedicated to the water reuse industry is safe, and we stand by our process.” It was then tested to demonstrate that it
as a whole because it’s aligned with our Jackson Stuart, the brewery’s met rigorous standards outlined by AHS-
sustainability efforts, one of which is to marketing manager, says Village was SHE for water reuse, including pathogen
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 17WASTEWATER
Credit: Riley Brandt/University of Calgary
Calgary’s Village
Brewery produced
1,000 litres of its Village
Blonde ale using
treated wastewater.
reduction requirements, as well as effective barrier for removing viruses The project was undertaken from
Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. and bacteria from the water stream a mindset of promoting water reuse,
“With the right measures in place to disinfect it,” says Flis, “but also to she adds.
alternative water sources—such as remove any of what we call contaminants “Proper stewardship of water resources
wastewater, greywater, rooftop collected of emerging concern—essentially, items is critical to the planet’s sustainability,
rainwater, and stormwater—can be made that are unregulated, but we are aware and water reuse can reduce the amount
safe for many potable and non-potable of their potential harmful impact, in of fresh water required by some
end uses,” says Jessica Popadynetz, particular pharmaceuticals.” applications and decrease diversion from
AHS public health inspector. The ozone activation is only one part of sensitive ecosystems,” says O’Grady.
Municipal wastewater normally runs the entire treatment train that included “ACWA is proud to lead by example and
through a complex system involving ultrafiltration membranes, followed champion water reuse with our partners
screens, filters, microbes, and ultraviolet by the ozone activation, followed by in this project.” WC
light to make it clean enough to return to ultraviolet or UV disinfection, and finally
This article first appeared in the
Calgary’s Bow River. reverse osmosis.
April 2021 issue of Plumbing &
The ACWA team took partially treated The beer went on sale on August 22,
HVAC magazine and is reprinted
water from the plant and ran it through 2020, Earth Overshoot Day.
with permission.
additional advanced treatment using Earth Overshoot Day marks the
ultrafiltration, followed by advanced date when humanity has supposedly
oxidation (ozone plus ultraviolet exhausted nature’s budget for the year.
John Tenpenny is the
treatment), then reverse osmosis. For the rest of the year, our ecological
editor of Renew Canada,
The advanced oxidation system was deficit is maintained by drawing down Water Canada’s
Xylem’s contribution to the project. local resource stocks and accumulating sister magazine.
“The unit was used to create an carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
18 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021WASTEWATER
Digital
Transformation
How digital transformation will make municipal
water management more resilient. BY STEVE MCDOWELL
ACROSS CANADA, municipalities must be The future resiliency of the country city of Winkler in Manitoba. In Quebec,
ready for big growth—and big change. depends on strong communities that are the government is investing in a new water
Increased immigration levels and housing ready to accommodate what’s coming. treatment plant for Drummondville.
booms outside of major urban centres Municipalities’ willingness to modernize While this kind of news is encouraging,
mean municipalities of all sizes and in all is vital, not only for keeping critical it’s no secret that for most municipalities,
corners of the country are preparing for infrastructure afloat now, but for making budgets are a barrier. Competing priorities
unprecedented population growth. our communities stronger and more and limited resources make investment
At the same time, they face a tough road sustainable as we grow. decisions difficult. To meet current needs
ahead to stay prepared. As a 2020 report The most forward-looking municipalities and prepare for growing development,
from KPMG put it, “the clock is ticking will be the ones thinking about how to use water companies must invest constantly
on Canada’s municipal infrastructure.” digital transformation to make smarter to replace pipes, refurbish equipment,
The consultancy suggests that 13 per cent of decisions, manage energy usage more and expand their treatment plants, all
the country’s core municipal infrastructure effectively, and stay prepared for disruption. while meeting increasingly stringent
assets—including roads, pipes, and water Well-functioning, reliable water water quality standards.
treatment plants—are in significant decay treatment facilities are vital for healthy, However, advancements in digital
and either unreliable or entirely unfit to thriving communities. Inefficient technology and systems mean that
meet current needs, let alone the future facilities, on the other hand, can lead to critical industrial facilities like water
population growth this country expects to wasted water, energy, and revenue loss. treatment plants can modernize without
see in the coming decade. More importantly, even a few hours of the upfront CapEx investment you may
It’s not a surprise that municipalities downtime in a water treatment facility expect. The Town of Midland in Ontario
are in this position. Severe and often can create huge public health issues. is one municipality that has recognized
unpredictable weather is taking its Over the past few months, we’ve this and acted.
toll on already aging infrastructure, seen encouraging announcements that Not unlike other municipalities
while budgets are already constrained. recognize the importance of improving across the province and country,
The pandemic has only exacerbated the these aging facilities. Three levels of Midland’s water treatment facility had
financial pressures municipalities are government have committed $73 million 35-year-old infrastructure in place.
already facing. in funding for upgrades to the regional Its dated system couldn’t provide the data
But doing nothing is not an option. wastewater treatment system for the collection, monitoring, and analysis the
20 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021WASTEWATER
that now consumes less energy and has updating the facility’s motor control
lower operating costs, and where staff centre brought the entire plant forward
have greater visibility into how essential 15 to 20 years, without a major capital
functions are performing. expenditure investment. Adding variable
A huge part of this transformation is speed drives on its aerators have reduced
rooted in gaining access to information energy consumption by between 36 and
for smarter energy management and 40 per cent. Installing the drives enables
better decision-making grounded in real- the aeration cells to control the amount
time insights. As part of the project, we of dissolved oxygen in each tank—the
upgraded the plant’s SCADA, the system drive speeds up as the amount of oxygen
that gathers and analyzes real-time data drops and slows down once the desired
to monitor and control equipment, plus amount is met, promoting greater energy
integrated new, connected products and efficiency and ensuring the right amount
screens to better monitor its systems. of oxygen is reached.
The idea is to get data flowing and then All of this has a major impact on the
let workers harness it remotely, ultimately bottom line. By reducing operating and
saving on labour and maintenance costs, maintenance costs, facilities like Midland’s
The most forward- with the facility performing at its best. can free up budget for much-needed,
looking municipalities Using digital tools to improve visibility larger scale infrastructure updates that
will be the ones
into water systems lets operational and keep them prepared for future growth.
thinking about
how to use digital maintenance teams keep tabs on how This project has also had an
transformation to make the facility is operating, so they can stay undeniable human benefit. The workers
smarter decisions.
ahead of any potential issues. Midland’s at Midland’s plant are more engaged
operations team can proactively manage because they have greater insight into
any red flags early, avoiding financial, how their facility is performing—and
team needed to efficiently manage their health, and logistical consequences that confidence that they are making the best
energy needs and have confidence in come with downtime. decisions possible. By providing a real-
the system’s uptime. They can also spot opportunities to time view of what’s happening across the
This would be a challenge on its better manage their energy. Managing plant, operators easily make changes and
own, but added to that is the town’s electricity usage is an increasingly monitor the impact these changes have
projected growth. Midland is part of a important part of managing the total across operations. This information is
booming area of the province set to grow operating costs for a facility with then stored and available for all current—
exponentially in the coming decade. In industrial pumping systems like this and future—operators to reference.
the town specifically, the population is one. With the right energy management Embracing digital transformation
predicted to increase by 25 per cent to practices, though, it’s possible to reduce within water management facilities
22,500 people by 2031. electrical consumption by at least 30 per may seem daunting, but as Midland
cent, plus reduce shows, the results are worth it.
maintenance costs— More importantly, the benefits can be
A big part of this transformation is with minimal CapEx realized with incremental upgrades to
investment. existing infrastructure, not just through
rooted in gaining access to information Take, as an major CapEx investment.
example, how the With that in mind, there is no reason
plant now operates for municipalities not to capture the
for smarter energy management. its motors, pumps, productivity, efficiency, cost savings,
and aerators. These and sustainability benefits that come
As the influx of residents and are critical assets within water treatment with digital transformation. In fact, it’s
development grows, demands on plants, but often dated and not optimized essential for the resilience of Canada
infrastructure will, too. As a result, to work as efficiently as they could, that they do. WC
the town is committed to “Building depending on demand at certain times
Midland’s Future,” including upgrading of days. These pieces of equipment are
key infrastructure. also big energy consumers, typically Steve McDowell is a senior sales consultant
To deliver on that promise within its responsible for 60 per cent of electrical for Schneider Electric Canada. He boasts
water treatment plant, Midland partnered energy usage, on average, in industrial more than 25 years of experience in
electrical sales, primarily in Industrial
with Schneider Electric to implement businesses. For a typical pump, energy
Automation. Since joining Schneider
the EcoStruxure solution within its costs represent 40 per cent of the total Electric 15 years ago, he has worked on
existing infrastructure. This has become cost of ownership. OEM and End User sales, with a focus on
the backbone for a modernized facility In Midland’s case, the simple act of water and wastewater in recent years.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 21WASTEWATER
The wastewater reuse
guidelines developed
by the Alberta
government are a first
for the province.
Wastewater Reuse
Alberta issues new guidelines for dealing with
wastewater and stormwater. BY SAUL CHERNOS
THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA has domestic use of reclaimed stormwater questions, and incorporated that into our
issued new guidelines for municipalities, and wastewater unless approved by the document,” Mooney says.
developers, irrigators, and other parties local municipality—the new guidelines With considerable involvement from
dealing with stormwater and wastewater essentially introduce provincial public in-house personnel and independent
on their projects and properties. health criteria and considerations to specialists, Alberta Health reviewed
The Public Health Guidelines for Water the discussion. available data, characterized factors such
Reuse and Stormwater Use set water Debra Mooney, an environmental as microbial loads in different sources of
quality objectives and provide guidance public health advisor with Alberta water and wastewater, and calculated log
on how to evaluate and mitigate risks to Health, says the guidelines are rooted reductions and other targets needed to
health from using, reusing, reclaiming, in frequent queries by municipalities, set appropriate benchmarks.
and otherwise handling stormwater developers, and other stakeholders The guidelines address microbiological
and wastewater. seeking clarity from three provincial health hazards for five potential
Until now, outside of Alberta Building government departments: Health, sources: municipal wastewater,
Code, National Plumbing Code and Municipal Affairs, and Environment greywater, stormwater, rooftop collected
assorted municipal requirements, Alberta and Parks. rainwater, and vehicle wash wastewater.
has had only minimal regulations or “A lot of the questions were The guidelines then list nine non-potable
standards directly addressing reclaimed around risk assessment and how end uses where human exposure is
water. While some basic rules have to protect health, so we formed a probable: agri-food and non-agri-food
been in place—for instance, disallowing working committee, listened to their irrigation, clothes washing, vehicle
22 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021WASTEWATER
The guidelines are meant to be exactly that:
guidelines. They are not intended to be
provincially legislated rules or standards,
according to Debra Mooney, an environmental
public health advisor with Alberta Health.
washing, dust control and street Mooney is quick to emphasize that the that’s why it’s key to first assess and
sweeping, cooling towers and evaporativeguidelines are indeed such, and not characterize the water and then design
condensers, toilet and urinal flushing, provincially legislated rules or standards. monitoring and treatment systems
ornamental uses such as fountains, “It’s up to the municipalities to decide to appropriate to a site’s proposed end use
and recreational swimming and boating. what extent they want to use it.” and related factors.
The guidelines recommend a water Smaller municipalities might choose Measures might involve irrigating
quality management plan approach, to adopt the guidelines in their entirety, in ways that offer protections such as
including an assessment from source whereas larger municipalities might have watering at off hours to reduce risks,
to end use, for water reuse projects that
sufficient staff and resources to perhaps and Mooney says the guidelines can
present potential risks to public health.
use the guidelines as a reference in help proponents address any potential
The document then outlines a process devising their own policies and standards. challenges at the earliest possible
for developing a plan that includes “It really depends on the capacity of stages of their projects.
performance targets for reducing each municipality,” Mooney explains. Clint Goodman, corporate
“Development officers environment specialist with the City
bring their expertise of Airdrie, located in the Calgary
Until now, Alberta has had only but often have no Metropolitan region, says the
health expertise, so guidelines are a step in the right
they turn to Alberta direction. Lacking direct access to
minimal regulations or standards Health Services for sources of drinking water, Airdrie
comment. We’re just relies on potable supplies transported
directly addressing reclaimed water. providing guidance from Calgary, so there’s a strong
around health incentive for water management
risk assessment.” and conservation. “The South
pathogens as well as ongoing monitoring The guidelines also recognize that Saskatchewan River Basin is closed
and verification. factors such as stormwater systems and to new water licenses,” Goodman
Municipalities, not upper levels of site conditions can vary considerably explains. “So reusing and conserving
government, are ultimately charged from one community or even one water are critical in a growing region
with approving many of these proposals. neighbourhood to another. Mooney says like Metro Calgary.”
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 23WASTEWATER
Alberta Health’s guidelines are a step in the right direction,
according to Clint Goodman, corporate environment specialist with
the City of Airdrie that’s located in the Calgary Metropolitan region.
Goodman, who represents Airdrie on “It could be one step towards a standard, At Alberta Health, Debra Mooney
the Nose Creek Watershed Partnership, but that ultimately depends on the acknowledges a cautious approach
says his community has several direction of the province.” to the guidelines, which state that
stormwater management ponds with Alberta’s water sector also has its eyes studies have found stormwater
recirculating systems and fountains on the new guidelines. Tige Procyshyn contaminated by raw human sewage
and he anticipates developer demand of Landscape Irrigation Solutions, at levels up to 10 percent. “Even in
for reuse systems in order to meet says industry stakeholders such as his some of the newer areas, there can
stormwater volume control targets. company have long anticipated the be contamination from sewage
guidelines. “We have lines,” Mooney says, noting that
been designing these stormwater and wastewater sources
The guidelines recognize that pump systems for might appear to be relatively clean
over a decade with yet be affected unintentionally by
factors such as site conditions limited or interim/ leakage, cross connections, and even
draft guidelines and human error.
can vary considerably from one regulations.” Still, Mooney says Alberta Health is
Still, as he absorbs anticipating and looking forward to
community to another. the details, Procyshyn feedback and questions. “It would be
says he has numerous helpful to hear from [people] directly,”
“We have a vested interest in protecting technical questions about details Mooney says. “This work is ongoing
the watershed, considering the fast such as risk categories for various and the guidelines will be revisited
paced development, so stormwater use applications, the timing and logistics as new information and research
guidelines provide an actual level of of irrigation, and water quality testing is available.” WC
direction and support some of the end for faecal markers.
objectives for protecting watershed “The guidelines seem to be quite
health and the creek itself.” nonchalant about the possibility of
Saul Chernos is a freelance
Ultimately, Goodman says he would up to 10 per cent of stormwater being
journalist specializing in
like to see the guidelines evolve into raw human sewage,” Procyshyn environmental issues.
a provincial standard similar to the says. “We’re struggling with (that)
sanitary or potable water standards. content classification.”
24 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021Credit: Government of New Brunswick
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
The Wolastoq River is known as
the St. John River in English and
fleuve Saint-Jean in French.
A Collaborative Future
Moving towards the sustainable management of the Wolastoq River.
BY MOLLY DEMMA AND JAMYLYNN MCDONALD
IN 1966 author Esther Clark Wright wrote the Government of Canada under the whose very nature is interdependence
in her seminal work The St. John River Pan-Canadian approach to transforming and connectivity.
and its Tributaries, “a river is something Species at Risk conservation in Canada
more than a feature of the landscape. and is a Parks Canada designated A more holistic approach
Interesting as it may be aesthetically, Canadian Heritage River. The Wolastoq The Ecological Limits of Hydrologic
geographically, geologically, what matters is under the jurisdiction of the federal, Alteration (ELOHA) framework is
is its relationship to the people who come provincial, and municipal governments designed for impounded systems.
upon it and who live beside it. Who they along with NB Power, which manages It gathers knowledge to inform
are, where they come from, why they most of the hydroelectric dams along management practices for a given
come, what use they make of the river, its tributaries and mainstem. As an waterway, including e-flows data that
what kind of communities they develop, impounded system, the river plays a key describe the water quantity, quality,
what they do to the river, what it does to role in the production of energy while and timing that is necessary to support
them—these are the considerations that providing critical ecological, social, and various organisms and life stages. It also
give purpose and vitality to the study cultural benefits to plants, wildlife, and includes social-cultural data that describe
of the river.” This resonates with many communities along its banks. flow needs from a human perspective.
of us who value the spiritual, cultural, Like many places around the world, Often, management frameworks are
and natural values a river and its there are river stewards working toward grounded in either environmental
watershed provide. the health, management, and betterment science or social science and use that
The Wolastoq, which means beautiful of this waterway—Rights Holders, information to make decisions. This
river in Wolastoqiyik, winds its way governments, non-profit organizations, can highlight usage conflict points but
from the state of Maine, collects water academia, and community groups are all does not necessarily lead to sustainable
from Quebec, and travels through New working in this watershed. As elsewhere, management decisions. An extensive
Brunswick to the famous Bay of Fundy these agents tend to act independently. literature review revealed that the social-
and the world’s highest tides. This siloed approach is often detrimental cultural component of the ELOHA
The Wolastoq is a priority region for to the long-term health of a waterway, framework has been difficult to complete,
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 25WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
There are river
stewards working
toward the health,
management, and
betterment of the
Wolastoq River.
and many jurisdictions had small successes. ELOHA framework as being suitable of meetings along the length of the
Could we do any better? We had one for the Wolastoq. river. By March 2020, we were ready
thing going for us—the Maritimes is The task at hand was to determine to schedule our in-person meetings.
small, people are friendly and want to how we could successfully collect the The cookies and tea were ordered,
help, and everyone knows everybody. social-cultural data in English and and then the world shut down.
Could we use this to our advantage? French, since we are the officially The lesson we learned is that
The group of five project partners bilingual province,
decided it was worth a shot. We received to feed into the
project funding and moved ahead framework. The group Diverse and interdisciplinary
tapping into the vast experience and determined we needed
expertise in our region by identifying a to collect two different backgrounds played an important
Project Advisory Committee. With the sources of information:
people and funding in hand, we were usage data from role in envisioning a better way
ready to start. Rights Holders and
The ELOHA framework has two stakeholder groups, and
components that feed into it—the values and perception
to manage the river.
environmental piece and the social- information from the
cultural piece. The environmental public using Ecological Goods and technology is very often a good thing,
factors associated with the Wolastoq Services research as the base. and meetings were held online with
were continuing to be developed by We started with usage data and enthusiastic participation, waving of
researchers through the Mactaquac worked up a plan. The project used fingers at the map on the screen, and
Aquatic Ecosystem Study (MAES) and Maptionnaire, a mapping software, sharing of critical information about
the Canadian Rivers Institute (CRI) to develop usage-based questions how groups and their members use
at the University of New Brunswick. that correlated with GIS layers the river in different geographical
These researchers first identified the and began working toward a series locations. This information was then
26 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
The Wolastoq winds its
way from the state of
Maine, collects water
from Quebec, and travels
through New Brunswick
to the famous Bay of
Fundy, home of the
world’s highest tides.
overlaid with the environmental data needs and human activities, where a Third, if we never have another Zoom
to determine areas of potential conflict shift of how the resource is managed meeting again, that will be great. We
between plants, wildlife, and people. could result in improvements for all. can’t wait to have a cup of tea in person
The other piece of information At the end of this three-year project, with these caring groups. They are
to collect was the public’s values we can tell you a few things. First, our collectively moving toward the common
and perceptions of the Wolastoq. hypothesis about a small place yielding goal of creating a framework for a
In consultation with the Project Advisory big things proved true. Diversity and healthy and resilient watershed using
Committee, literature and other experts, interdisciplinary backgrounds of the their scientific expertise, sense of place,
the group determined that an online project management team, partners, and desire to make their communities
survey, advertised through Facebook and the overseeing Project Advisory the best they can. WC
was the best choice. The data told us Committee allowed for a range of
The authors acknowledge the contributions
this was the social media platform of environmental, cultural, and social
of all the project partners and funders.
choice for New Brunswick and Quebec perspectives. They also played an
residents. A survey of 10 questions was important role in envisioning a better
developed and targeted to river residents way to manage the river.
in New Brunswick and Quebec. While Second, our goals at the beginning of
200 respondents may not sound like a the project seemed simple: collect data,
lot, remember we are a small place. strengthen relationships, and complete
The project took the social data, the framework. But simple things
aggregated it with the previously often become complex: competing
collected environmental data, and uses and values, climate change Molly Demma is the executive director of
screened it for potential management impacts, water quality and quantity in The St. John River Society, a non-profit in
impacts. This data aggregation can an impounded system, and its impact Fredericton, New Brunswick.
be used to identify areas of potential on the flow regime all contributed to Jamylynn McDonald is a climate change
improvement between environmental the challenges. project coordinator at ACAP Saint John.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 27You can also read
