AWWOA 50th Annual Seminar

Many communities have failing wastewater treatment infrastructure but are struggling with how to use their limited funds as effectively as possible. In this seminar, our team will examine the wastewater treatment process from all angles and for both mechanical wastewater facilities and lagoons. This will include:
• Receiving Water Body Studies. These studies examine what effluent quality limits we need to achieve through our treatment process. This presenter will provide an overview of how these studies are performed and the information they provide.
• Upgrades to Mechanical WWTPs. This presenter will provide insight into upgrades they have made at their mechanical WWTP to meet more stringent limits, including lessons learned.
• Upgrades to Lagoons. This presenter will review options to improve the lagoon’s performance and where each one is applicable, considering site constraints. These options include aeration, expansion, and innovative technologies.
• Operational Considerations

This workshop will provide delegates with focus on essential ‘need-to-knows’ for water utility operators and managers when planning for and undertaking replacement or construction of a new water reservoir and pumping station.
Delegates will be guided through all aspects of reservoir and pumpstation construction through the example City of St. Albert Sturgeon Reservoir project through all phases, including but not limited to concept through capital planning, engineering design, procurement, and construction to commissioning. Similarly to other projects, through this workshop many of the opportunities, challenges and solutions experienced by the City of St. Albert having embarked on a typical design-bid-build approach to ‘the pivot’ and direction in moving forward with integrated project delivery will be shared with delegates.
The scope of this project and workshop also encompasses reservoir, pumpstation and off-site infrastructure rehabilitation vs replacement, addressing public concerns and perspectives, engaging stakeholders, responding to the unplanned, choosing by advantages and last-responsible-moment decision making.
Beyond this project, both Brian and Jason bring over 50 years combined career experience in water and wastewater including design, construction and operations of water reservoirs and pump stations. As engaging speakers, interaction with delegates will be occurring throughout the workshop, and those present will have take-away value-added knowledge being prepared to bring an operations perspective should they be part of a future water reservoir and pumpstation construction project.

In the evolving field of wastewater treatment, bioaugmentation has emerged as a promising
strategy to enhance the biological processes critical to maintaining efficient and effective
operations. This presentation aims to provide wastewater operators with a thorough
understanding of bioaugmentation, focusing on the application and impact of bacterial and
enzyme supplements.

We will begin with an overview of the biological processes in wastewater treatment,
emphasizing the roles of bacteria and enzymes. This foundational knowledge will allow a
deeper exploration of bacterial and enzyme supplements, explaining how they are created and
what makes them effective. Attendees will learn about the different types of bacterial products,
their mechanisms of action, and the specific conditions required for their optimal performance.
We will also cover enzyme supplements, highlighting their applications and how they
complement bacterial processes.

The presentation will address common issues encountered in wastewater treatment, such as
fats, oils, and grease (FOGs), loss of nitrification, high ammonia levels, midge flies, and sludge
accumulation. We will discuss the underlying biological challenges for each issue and how
targeted bioaugmentation can provide solutions.

Practical considerations for selecting and using bacterial and enzyme products will be provided.
We will provide tools and methods for product selection and evaluating product effectiveness,
including microfilament analysis and origins testing, sludge surveys, influent/effluent monitoring,
and screening tests. Attendees will gain insights into pilot and small-scale long-term studies that
can help predict full-scale performance.

We will present detailed case studies to illustrate the real-world application of these concepts.
Each case study will provide valuable lessons and best practices that operators can apply to
their facilities.

Finally, we will conclude with a wrap-up and a Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage with
the material and address specific questions or concerns.

Sylvan Lake's storm pond, situated on the south end of town, has a significant goldfish infestation, compelling the dewatering and manual removal of goldfish due to the unavailability of approved chemical solutions like rotenone. This presentation sheds light on the hurdles faced during manual removal efforts and aims to share challenges that municipalities, constrained by chemical availability, are encountering.

NOTE: You must have a separate, paid registration to attend this workshop (NOT included in a full seminar registration).  If you have not received a receipt and confirmation of workshop registration, entrance will not be permitted.  On-site registration or walkups are NOT accepted.

Presentation Overview
With the absence of rotenone, our team embarked on manual removal techniques, employing methods such as netting and dewatering. The difficulties of this approach were compounded by unpredictable weather conditions and a persistent natural spring feeding the pond, highlighting the limitations municipalities face without access to approved chemical solutions.

Regulatory Compliance and Enumeration
Navigating Alberta Environment and Protected Areas regulations, our team was required to secure a fish research license, a process including collaborative effort needed with regulatory bodies when conventional chemical solutions are unavailable. Enumerating, identifying and reporting the goldfish population became imperative.

Community Engagement and Shared Struggles
Recognizing this problem is created by lack of knowledge and education by residents. To address the challenges faced by municipalities without rotenone availability, we have initiated a public education campaign. This campaign aims not only to inform our local community but to raise awareness, understanding and support for municipalities fighting with similar issues. This is with interdepartmental collaboration (Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Communication Departments)

Lessons Learned and Collaboration
The presentation will highlight the lessons learned throughout this project, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and shared experiences. By addressing the issues faced without rotenone, we hope to spark a broader conversation on the need for accessible and effective solutions for municipalities navigating goldfish infestations.

Conclusion
Sylvan Lake's experience can serve as a case study, not only in goldfish eradication but also in highlighting the pressing need for accessible and approved chemical solutions for municipalities facing similar challenges. By sharing our struggles, successes, and lessons learned, we aim to incite a collaborative approach to environmental restoration within the broader municipal community.

Current methods are falling short in addressing non-revenue water (NRW) reduction in Canada, where water conservation, operational efficiency, and accurate billing are critical priorities. This session will highlight success stories from real-world utilities that have embraced integrated Acoustic Leak Detection (ALD) technology to monitor and alert to distribution side leakage with precision.
By accelerating leak detection and improving accuracy, these utilities have significantly reduced their cost per identified leak and tackled low-hanging opportunities to reduce their water loss. Advanced water meter technology is proving to be a game-changer, enabling utilities to take meaningful strides toward sustainable water management.
Attendees will gain actionable insights and strategies to adopt these innovative solutions, transforming water distribution systems into models of environmental responsibility and operational excellence. Moreover, these advancements can help utilities stabilize their infrastructure, preventing catastrophic water main breaks and staying out of unwanted headlines. This presentation underscores the tangible benefits of integrating cutting-edge technologies, making a compelling case for sustainability-driven modernization.

Asset Management is a focus for public works departments across Canada. The foundation of a strong Asset Management plan is an accurate asset inventory:
     - What does the municipality own?
     - Where is it located?
     - What condition is it in?
     - What is the expected remaining life?
     - What is the replacement cost?

As-built drawings can generally be used to answer question, but asset location and condition can only be determined with field studies.

We will present Asset Management concepts for water infrastructure and practical and cost-effective techniques for gathering the required field data. Operators can then use this field data to more effectively run their systems, as well as implement strategies to extend asset life and functionality.

Detailed case studies will be used to explain all concepts and techniques. These best-practice examples are based on our work with more than 150 municipalities across Canada. Each example will include a discussion of available equipment.

Specific workshop topics will include:
     - Asset location - using and updating GIS maps for infrastructure location (hydrants; manholes; pipes; etc)
     - Flow monitoring for sanitary and storm sewers
     - Corrosion monitoring in sanitary and storm sewers
     - Condition assessments; including sewer smoke testing; CCTV inspection; water system leak detection and others.

We will provide feedback from operators that have employed these techniques; as well as how the field data is being used in system operations and planning. We will display equipment and have interactive portions throughout the workshop.

NOTE: You must have a separate, paid registration to attend this workshop (NOT included in a full seminar registration).  If you have not received a receipt and confirmation of workshop registration, entrance will not be permitted.  On-site registration or walkups are NOT accepted.