Stakeholder Communications
November, 2009
Halifax Wastewater Treatment Facility
The first phase of the two-phase process to re-commission the Halifax wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) by Halifax Water, on behalf of HRM, is complete. The first phase was an initiative to divert dry-weather flow through the Halifax WWTF.
Beginning in late September, flows were gradually introduced from gravity-fed systems on the peninsula, followed by flows from the Pier A pumping station (located at the intersection of Barrington & Inglis Streets), the Duffus Street pumping station and finally the Balmoral and Atlantic School of Theology pumping stations on the Northwest Arm.
This plan has dry-weather flows being diverted through the Halifax WWTF, floatables screened out by the coarse and fine-screening system, then discharged via the plant’s existing outfall pipe which extends approximately one kilometre into Halifax Harbour.
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| Floatables and debris removed during the screening process |
This measure has also eliminated odours noted in the Cogswell St. interchange area.
When wastewater flows are high due to extreme rainfall run-off, the flows will be directed through the combined sewer overflows directly into the harbour as originally intended.
This work is being carried out in conjunction with the full Halifax WWTF restoration effort, and is work that would have to be undertaken as part of the restoration plan.
The second phase will see the final recovery of all processes and systems in the WWTF with the expectation that the plant will be fully functional in the spring of 2010. All damaged equipment will be repaired or replaced with funding for the recovery effort provided primarily by the project's Builder's Risk Insurance.
Dartmouth Wastewater Treatment Facility
The Dartmouth WWTF continues to treat wastewater flows. Commissioning of the WWTF is on-going with a focus on meeting the project specifications for odour and effluent quality, prior to achieving substantial completion.
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| Biosolids Truck at Dartmouth WWTF, October 2009 |
The permanent measure to reroute foam and odour identified as coming from two vent pipes outside the plant is in place.
Herring Cove Wastewater Treatment Facility
Construction of the WWTF and wastewater collection system (WWCS) is essentially complete with deficiency identification and rectification well under way. The "dry" testing of individual components and hydro(wet) testing of various tanks within the Herring Cove WWTF using clean water is complete. All necessary chemicals have been ordered. The odour control unit is to be tested with chemicals prior to the introduction of wastewater.
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| Herring Cove WWTF, October 2009 |
Roaches Pond Pumping Station Upgrade Complete
Halifax Water recently completed a multi-phase upgrade of the Roaches Pond Pumping Station, which is located on Princeton Avenue in Spryfield. Most of the wastewater from Spryfield is directed to the pumping station, which pumps the wastewater to a trunk sewer on Herring Cove Road, which will convey the wastewater to the new wastewater treatment facility in Herring Cove.
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| Roaches Pond Pumping Station, October 2009 |
Over the last number of years significant improvements have been made to the Roaches Pond Pumping Station including force mains replacement; doubling of the storage tank in size; along with pump replacements increasing pumping capacity.
Prior to this work being done, Roaches Pond Pumping Station overflowed into McIntosh Run five to ten times per year during periods of significant rainfall/runoff. It is anticipated that the frequency and volume of overflow will be significantly reduced or eliminated as a result of the upgrade work at the pumping station.
This will greatly improve the water quality of MacIntosh Run and downstream locations providing a significant environmental benefit to the community.
Summary
Overall, the five-year, $333M Harbour Solutions Project remains within budget. HRM and Halifax Water continue to work closely with its prime contractors and insurers to complete all three wastewater facilities in accordance with contract specifications as soon as possible.
It remains the intention of Halifax Water and HRM to see the Halifax WWTF back in full operation in the spring of 2010, that any problems that led to the sequence of events that caused the flooding are addressed, and that the water quality with Halifax Harbour is once again
restored to levels enjoyed last year by residents.
For more information
In depth information about the Halifax WWTF along with other aspects of the Harbour Solutions project are posted on the HRM website at http://halifax.ca/HWWTF/index.html and the Halifax Water website at halifaxwater.ca where newsletters, diagrams, photos, background materials, and answers to frequently asked questions can be found.
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