Yorkton Council has unanimously approved a project which will ultimately make creative use backwash wastewater from the City's new water treatment plant.
The contract was approved at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council June 29.
R.J. Tulik and Son Trenching and Excavating Ltd. was awarded the Queen Street WTP, Contract 9: Process Wastewater Treatment System for a contract price of $799,250. Further, that the construction budget includes a contingency allowance of $100,750 for a total construction budget of $900,000.
Michael Buchholzer, Director of Environmental Services with the City told Council the project is one which began with planning work a number of years ago.
"In March of 2006, Administration received a letter from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities confirming acceptance of the City's grant application. The application was to provide a feasibility study on the handling and treatment of backwash wastewater from the Queen Street Water Treatment facility. This grant, designated as the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) provides 50/50 funding up to a total of $555,000," detailed a report to Council.
With the help of the Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association local input on the project was sought.
"The results of the stakeholders meeting held on March 2, 2010, was to use the area designated as Logan Green, as an educational component on process water treatment. The concept was to design a treatment process for the plant backwash wastewater and incorporate the design into a passive and active recreational area," said Buchholzer.
From there came a plan.
"This basis of design involves diverting backwash wastewater from entering the sanitary sewer system and treating it on-site. The water treatment plant, operating at full capacity, will produce approximately 2,000 cubic metres a day of backwash wastewater. This volume of water is equivalent to a sewage wastewater demand of approximately 5,500 people," said Buchholzer.
There is significant water flows from the plant. Present backwash flow rates are estimated to be in the order of 400-500 cubic metres a day. This volume of water is equivalent to a wastewater demand of approximately 1,500 people.
Buchholzer said the plan keeps the wastewater out of the normal system.
"The City's sanitary sewer mains and wastewater treatment facility would be better suited to support residential and commercial growth rather than backwash wastewater. Further, by removing backwash wastewater from the sewage system, this aids in reducing the probability of sewer backup during extreme wet weather flows," he said.
In the future the pond could be a recreation asset.
"It is possible that this flow regulating pond may be used in the future as a fish pond; however, this will need to be investigated further in consultation with the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation," said Buchholzer.
In terms of recreation, material from the wetlands and flow regulating pond will be disposed of and shaped to form the foundation of six multi-use sporting fields.
"The project also involves repairing/improving the existing trail system and creating a series of dry bottom water detention ponds to protect the Logan Greens facilities from existing and future storm water discharge to the area," added Buchholzer.
There is already local support for the project.
User groups are willing to contribute financially and in-kind if this contract proceeds.
*Yorkton Soccer Association is willing to contribute $10,000 towards the multi-use sporting fields.
*Assiniboine Watershed is willing to donate $8,000 to the construction of the dry bottom storm sewer detention ponds.
*Yorkton and Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and Ducks Unlimited are evaluating their contribution, and are currently involved in the evaluation of the flow regulating pond to be used as a potential fish pond.
*Sunrise Health Region has expressed interest in contributing towards a project that would promote healthy and active living through the trail system.
*Saskatchewan Watershed is currently requesting approximately 150 metres of channel to simulate a natural creek bed. They are currently evaluating their contribution.
The project also offers a cost-saving to the City.
"1If this on-site treatment system is not constructed, a force main would be required to convey the backwash wastewater to the north York Road trunk main. The capital cost of this option would be significantly more than the Logan Green treatment system and would add additional hydraulic loading to Yorkton's wastewater facility. Estimated costs to upgrade the pumping system and install approximately 4.2 km of force main piping is estimated to be in the order of two to three million dollars," said Buchholzer.
The overall plan was one Councillors liked.
"I think it would cost us more to treat this water the other way," said Councillor Bob Maloney, adding the proposed plan with its educational potential and fish pond area "offers a lot of value."
"I think it's a heckuva of an idea," added Coun. Richard Okrainec.
Coun. Les Arnelien questioned how cutting edge the concept is?
Buchholzer said a project in Alberta supposedly has some of the elements, but aspects such as incorporating a fish pond appear a North American first.
Coun. Larry Pearen said if it is a new concept there could be grants available.
"There's lots of opportunity they're looking for this sort of thinking outside-the-box," he said.
