By Angela Brown

Battleford activates equipment to comply with wastewater standards

Jun 20, 2017 | 1:07 PM

After finding the level of green algae was above normal in its wastewater treatment lagoon, the Town of Battleford has activated a third piece of equipment to ensure its compliance with provincial environmental standards. 

Aubrey Whittleton, manager of the utilities department for the Town of Battleford, said the town recently activated another aeration blower to improve its wastewater analysis after finding it had too much green algae in the wastewater makeup for its lagoon treatment system.

The town uses blowers to create air to help with aeration of the wastewater in the treatment process. The wastewater lagoons are located at the south end of Battleford.

When the wastewater is treated it goes into the Battle River, and, ultimately flows into the North Saskatchewan River, so there are added reasons to ensure the treated wastewater meets all the requirements.

The algae was found during the treatment process from a testing in May, but the issue has since been remedied. 

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“The algae isn’t really dangerous to anything, it’s just more of a hindrance than anything. It masks the tests so that we can’t get the proper results we need,” said Whittleton.

“The [wastewater] samples are sent to accredited labs in Saskatchewan. The town reports to the Water Security Agency (WSA). As soon as you’re over-permit, you have to advise the Water Security Agency of what’s happening. They give you advice of what you can do,” he added.

Whittleton said the town completes weekly analysis on its wastewater lagoons, and also sends samples to its accredited labs.

“We noticed things were not quite right about a week before. Then, we started to wonder what was going on,” Whittleton  said. “We sent some analysis to our lab and they came back showing us there was some abnormal growth in algae that we needed to rectify it.”

“We have guidelines we have to follow, because it does go to a water body,” he added. “You need to follow the regulations; you need to meet certain guidelines.”

“Everything worked out and we are now back on track,” added Whittleton. “You need to control that algae so you can get the proper data and analysis done on your sewage testing.”

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW