On Sunday, November 16th, a Public Meeting was held to discuss the current state of the waste-water treatment plant. Mayor Rick Everett presented a detailed summary of the situation; where we are now and what comes next. The following is a summary of the meeting.
- Current State of the Plant – it is in critical failure mode due to a major mechanical malfunction
- Immediately the Town administration and Council went to work with Alberta Environment (AESRD), ISL Engineering and CORIX Utilities to create a solution
- Report completed by ISL Engineering states, “Complete and utter failure of the waste-water facility is imminent without significant improvements to the existing facility.” (chart was provided)
- Friday, October 17th
o one of the plant walls breaks
o Emergency Water Restriction Level 2 enforced because extent of the failure unknown
o Emergency repair put in place
o AERSD notified,
? water sampling taking place twice a week
? We are still meeting standards
? Downstream users have been notified
- A Brief history of the plant
o The plant is 34 years old, was supposed to have only 20 year life
o Almost 50% doubled its life expectancy through previous repairs and upgrades in 2002, 2010
? CORIX brought in to help manage plant
- Temporary Solution is devised
o To build a steel wall to replace the broken wall
? Delays due to materials and needed supplies to complete the wall
? The wall is complete as of Sunday (costs so far approximately $400K)
- Wall to be installed this week, if it is successful after the trial period, water restrictions to be lifted
- Contingency plans are still in the works
- What’s next – the town of Nanton is getting a new waste-water treatment plant
o Funding methods, approvals and costs being investigated and waiting for approval
o Project expected to be complete by 2016
- Residents cautioned that future water restrictions may still have to be put in place
- “Please Refrain from Using the Drain” Campaign will be rolled out; education and awareness about water conservation
- Cost Recovery Programs being investigated (based on users, not necessarily through taxation)
If you would like further information about this summary or the Public Meeting, please contact Marianne Morrison, Director of Corporate Services, at 403-646-2029 or mmorrison@nanton.ca.