HUMBOLDT — Residents are invited to attend an open house being hosted by Humboldt’s public works department to answer any questions they may have regarding the upcoming wastewater treatment system upgrade.
The event will take place at the lobby of the curling rink at the Uniplex on March 2 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Peter Bergquist, Humboldt’s director of public works and utilities, said the open house is to inform the community about one of the city’s larger projects.
“We want to be able to answer questions or just inform people of where the project is going and what's to be expected of the project,” Bergquist said.
The $34 million project is expected to increase capacity for the city’s current wastewater system from a population of 6,000, which it nears now, to 10,000. Currently, the treated wastewater goes into Humboldt Lake.
The cost will be split with the federal government and province through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, with the federal component covering about $13.6 million, the province covering about $11.3 million, leaving the remaining 27 per cent to the city, costing about $9 million.
In September the city hired a third party to conduct a preliminary irrigation report, discussing the options of using some of the treated wastewater as irrigation after the city budgeted $15,700 toward the evaluation of irrigation options.
Bergquist said they are continuing to work with a group to look into the option, however it hasn’t been determined.
The project is planned to include a submerged attached growth reactor (SAGR) system. A SAGR is designed for ammonia removal in cold climates. It consists of a submerged gravel bed with evenly distributed wastewater flowing across the width of the cell, which provides the necessary surface area for growth and attachment of a nitrifying biomass within the bed.
The project is described by the city as not only an important infrastructure required for the growing population and economy, but is expected to create construction jobs, as well as stimulate the local economy. The estimated cost for this project is $34 million.
The treatment system is being upgraded to meet current environmental regulations; designed for fish bearing water bodies; have proven system performance in similar climates; meet one of the lowest phosphorus limits in Saskatchewan; be engineered to maximize performance and minimize cost; be low maintenance; wet weather resistant; be of high quality effluent production; and be simple, capable and expandable.
For more information about the project, individuals can go to the city's website.
