Tri Area News

The Entwistle sewage lagoon is being upgraded

After considering all the factors, Parkland County Council  voted in favour of modifying the Entwistle Lagoon in order to treat sewage generated in  the West Parkland Region.

“Parkland County retained Stantec Consulting Inc. to look at different options available  for sewage treatment in the west end of the County,” said Rob McGowan, General  Manager Infrastructure Service. “When we look at all the options, expanding the  Entwistle Lagoon makes the most sense. It exceeds current Alberta Environment  requirements, improves on the sustainability of the lagoon, it fits within the very tight  timelines imposed by the Building Canada Fund – Infrastructure Stimulus Fund grant,  and it is within budget.”

The Entwistle Lagoon will be modified by adding an aeration system to the existing  primary cells and will see the addition of a Submerged Attached Growth Reactor  (SAGR) system, which consists of a gravel bed covered with mulch. The SAGR system  allows effluent to flow through the gravel layer while the mulch acts as a layer of  insulation, allowing treatment during the cold winter months that reduces ammonia and  odour.

“Modifying the Entwistle Lagoon allows us to explore other improvements to the site,  such as controlled vehicle access, alternative power supply, improvements to odour  control and allowances for future advanced treatment options,” said McGowan. “For the  Entwistle residents, this means they will have a superior, sustainable sewage lagoon  with greater capacity, longer life, and improved environmental standards at no cost to  them.”

Parkland County started researching the need for a new sewage lagoon for the west  portion of the County as the Seba Beach Lagoon has reached its capacity. Alternative  sites were explored, but time and cost were quickly proving to be prohibitive.   “We have until March 31, 2011, to have the project designed, tendered, constructed  and online,” said McGowan. “That gives us only one construction season to meet the  grant requirements.”

Concerns were also raised about the cost of hauling to the Entwistle Lagoon.  “When the Seba Beach was closed to truck-hauled sewage, many residents in the area  started paying more,” said McGowan. “Unfortunately, timing was a factor, the cost of  servicing and gas prices were very high at the time. The haulers looked at the situation  as an opportunity to review their overall pricing structure and adjusted their fees  accordingly. As part of our research, we contacted the companies and asked how much  less they would charge if they only needed to haul to the Seba Beach area. The fee  difference was minimal when compared to the total hauling fee.”

Over the next few months, Stantec will finalize the design for the Entwistle Lagoon  upgrade and have the project ready for tender in early 2010. Construction is expected to  be completed in late 2010.

[Source: Parkland County]