Port Alberni Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

Background

The City of Port Alberni treats wastewater from approximately 18,000 people in the Alberni Valley. To provide this service, the City uses a centralized wastewater treatment plant and lagoon that has been in place since the 1950’s. With the infrastructure aging and the Canadian wastewater treatment standards changing, the City is upgrading the plant and lagoon.

The City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades are part of a larger process set out by the province for communities across BC to establish comprehensive, long-term strategies for dealing with all aspects of municipal wastewater, storm water, and runoff. The planning process, known as a Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP), provides each community with a roadmap that provides comprehensive solutions for managing their municipal wastewater responsibly and as required by Provincial and Federal regulations.

LWMP Planning

The City has completed Stage 1 of the LWMP process. From 2013-2017, the City worked extensively to develop a Stage 2 LWMP, which involved Public Consultation activities, and selection of the preferred wastewater management solution.

Based on the information gathered, the City commenced upgrades on the newly acquired Catalyst lagoon in 2018. With construction now nearing completion, the City is looking to complete a Combined Stage 2/3 LWMP submission for approval by City Council and the BC Ministry of Environment. The “Plan” will provide details on how the City intends to implement the LWMP, and continue to monitor the plan to ensure compliance.

Engaging on the Plan

Public and First Nations engagement is a key component to receiving plan approval. The City, in coordination with Associated Engineering, ran a Stage 2/3 LWMP public consultation program from June 19 - July 5, 2020. The program looked to update the public on progress of the LWMP components, increase awareness of the LWMP process, and allow an opportunity to provide feedback on the City's liquid waste management practices. For detailed results on the consultation program, please view the Combined Stages 2/3 LWMP Report in the Document Library.

Background

LWMP Planning

Engaging on the Plan

Q & A

Q&A

City staff are here to answer your questions on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades project.

Share I can't find the survey that you are asking us to complete. Where is it? on Facebook Share I can't find the survey that you are asking us to complete. Where is it? on Twitter Share I can't find the survey that you are asking us to complete. Where is it? on Linkedin Email I can't find the survey that you are asking us to complete. Where is it? link

I can't find the survey that you are asking us to complete. Where is it?

Rainbird asked almost 4 years ago

Hi there, Thanks for the question. The survey closed on Sunday, July 5, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in this project and the future of wastewater in the Alberni Valley, please subscribe to the project page for direct updates and opportunities to engage.
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Why does the air stink of sewage?

Deb asked over 5 years ago

Good afternoon Deb,
Our contractor is current mobilizing at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) site, but no materials have been distributed that would cause odour issues. Further to that, we recently visited the site (day before yesterday) and odours could not be detected at the property line.
There are other industrial activities within the city that do create odours thatsmell similar to sewage and if the winds are not in our favour, they are very noticeable.
If at any time you would like a tour of the WWTP, please don't hesitate to reach out me. I think you would be amazed at just how odour free the facility/plant is.
Share Is there a plan to rehabilitate the area around both the old lagoon and the new lagoon to return wildlife values to something approaching the way it was before the lagoons were built? on Facebook Share Is there a plan to rehabilitate the area around both the old lagoon and the new lagoon to return wildlife values to something approaching the way it was before the lagoons were built? on Twitter Share Is there a plan to rehabilitate the area around both the old lagoon and the new lagoon to return wildlife values to something approaching the way it was before the lagoons were built? on Linkedin Email Is there a plan to rehabilitate the area around both the old lagoon and the new lagoon to return wildlife values to something approaching the way it was before the lagoons were built? link

Is there a plan to rehabilitate the area around both the old lagoon and the new lagoon to return wildlife values to something approaching the way it was before the lagoons were built?

Jim asked over 5 years ago

The old lagoon will undergo rehabilitation during its decommissioning process in 2019/2020. This will include returning the 4.9 ha parcel to productive natural estuarine habitat.
The City understands that many people value this area for recreational and environmental purposes and as a result, will launch a consultation program to gather input on ways to improve the area, so everyone can enjoy its natural beauty for years to come.
When the time comes, I will promote this consultation to ensure we get as much input as possible. Please be sure to signup for project notifications to receive notification directly.
As for the new lagoon, we will be following strict environmental procedures during the upgrade work and strive to reduce construction-related impacts in the area throughout the project.
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Could you be more specific about the treatments, Please?

Sandy asked over 5 years ago

Hi Sandy,
I'll connect you with the project lead to discuss the specifics around treatment, as there are so many technical aspects to treatment.
Here is the contact info you seek:
Ken Watson
phone 250 723-2950

email ken-watson@shaw.ca

Please reach out to Ken at a time that's convenient for you.
All the best,
Alicia
Share In the above photo, is the new treatment centre going to take up all of the existing estuaries to the south of the existing treatment plant? on Facebook Share In the above photo, is the new treatment centre going to take up all of the existing estuaries to the south of the existing treatment plant? on Twitter Share In the above photo, is the new treatment centre going to take up all of the existing estuaries to the south of the existing treatment plant? on Linkedin Email In the above photo, is the new treatment centre going to take up all of the existing estuaries to the south of the existing treatment plant? link

In the above photo, is the new treatment centre going to take up all of the existing estuaries to the south of the existing treatment plant?

sue steinhauer asked over 5 years ago

Hi Susan,
The new wastewater treatment plant will not have one centralized building (see rendering below) but rather a few small buildings that all contribute to the larger treatment process. Any new structures associated with the upgrades will be constructed within the footprint of the new lagoon with the exception of a small section of land to the southwest. That area will be temporarily impacted when crews install the pipes to the new outfall.
Share 4,153,741 Fed, 2,741,469 Prov, 1,412,272 City. Where is all of those Funds? Where's the Ledger? on Facebook Share 4,153,741 Fed, 2,741,469 Prov, 1,412,272 City. Where is all of those Funds? Where's the Ledger? on Twitter Share 4,153,741 Fed, 2,741,469 Prov, 1,412,272 City. Where is all of those Funds? Where's the Ledger? on Linkedin Email 4,153,741 Fed, 2,741,469 Prov, 1,412,272 City. Where is all of those Funds? Where's the Ledger? link

4,153,741 Fed, 2,741,469 Prov, 1,412,272 City. Where is all of those Funds? Where's the Ledger?

Richard Kudra asked over 5 years ago

Good day, Richard. Thank you for your question.

The City received a $2,193,175 funding advance in 2017 that we are now drawing against. When we have drawn that advance down to $0 with expense claim submissions, we will be reimbursed for further claims until the total funds are exhausted. The senior governments process is to advance part of the funds, then hold the balance and disburse as claimed.
In accordance with provincial reporting, the $2,193,175 was reported as Sewer Capital revenue for 2017.
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What is the address

kerry asked over 5 years ago

The address is 5600 Shoemaker Bay Road, Port Alberni, B.C.
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What company was contracted to construct the new upgrades?

Alicia asked over 5 years ago

The company's name is Tritech Group. They are an industry leader in integrated design, project management, and construction services for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.