Wastewater System Renewal

The City of Fernie has completed the first phase of work assessing the Wastewater Treatment Plant operations and challenges and has determined the next steps in the path toward regulatory compliance.

The initial scope of work included a review of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, operational data, previous studies, regulatory requirements, as well as re-engagement with the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (MoE).

A review of current performance data shows that while the treatment process can consistently achieve the levels of secondary treatment required, the main route of effluent discharge for the facility is no longer primarily through the rapid infiltration basins and into the ground as authorized in the existing permit. Based on our engineering consultants review of the historical data and reports, continued use of the infiltration basins as designed will be problematic. In the short term, the City of Fernie will pursue regulatory approval to discharge 100% of the treated effluent flow to the Elk River.

A three-pronged approach will form the second phase of the Wastewater System Assessment & Compliance Strategy. The focus of this phase will be on key regulatory compliance work, simultaneously staff will continue to advance improvements to system operations and maintenance, and ensure timely public communication.

Regulatory Compliance:

Phase 2 of the Wastewater System Assessment & Compliance Strategy involves the following steps to achieve regulatory compliance:

1. Completing the Waste Discharge Authorization process under the Municipal Waste Regulation

2. Completing the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and feasibility assessment of the WWTP

• EIS will confirm the current mixing and dilution ratio in the Elk, determine the allowable ammonia discharge concentration, and identify any additional effluent quality requirements that are required
• results of Environmental Impact Study will help dictate the final effluent limits set by MOE for authorized discharge to the Elk River.
• The results of the EIS will help establish what upgrades will be required to achieve the regulatory requirements that will be enforceable via the new authorization

Full compliance under the MWR, will be achieved once the required upgrades are completed.

Continued Action on System Maintenance:

• Modifying and expanding our sampling and monitoring of the influent wastewater and adding a new effluent sampling point at the discharge of the UV stage to monitor the parameters required under the MWR
• Designing a new screening unit at the Riverside Lift Station
• Sludge removal at the Lagoons
• Onboarded 2 new sewer operators to help with system maintenance and the identified maintenance gap

Public Communication:

• Timely and transparent updates will be provided to the community as deliverables of the consultants’ work are completed
• As we move from permitting under the MWR to updating our LWMP, significant community and Council consultation will be warranted to set the direction for long term governance of the system

The City is taking immediate steps to improve monitoring of I&I in our system with the installation of new equipment to validate our data and identify areas for improvement.

Staff have submitted an application for funding from the Strategic Priorities Fund to support a nearly $6million Coordinated Capital Infrastructure Renewal project that includes works to reduce Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) to assist in reducing the flow volume being processed in the City’s Wastewater Treatment system.

Visit the City of Fernie Document Library to read the report seeking authorization for this funding application.

In the 2021 and 2022 budget cycles we budgeted for, and continue to implement, crucial immediate measures to upgrade existing infrastructure and extend the life of our current system. These are short-term solutions to allow us time to plan for and execute an overhaul of the wastewater system.

In April 2022, Council approved an emergency increase in sewer utility fees to fund two additional operators to improve our capacity for maintenance, to slow infrastructure failure, and to address issues as they arise.

Next Steps:

• Staff and council will be advocating with the province for funding approval for the $6million Coordinated Capital Infrastructure Renewal project that includes works to reduce Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) to assist in reducing the flow volume being processed in the City’s Wastewater Treatment system.
• We anticipate being able to provide an update at a July 18 Council meeting with next steps on the LWMP and recommendations from our consultants regarding improving interim capacity through I&I reductions.