Plant not causing a stink

By RICHARD ROLKEMorning Star StaffAug 04 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
A dubious summer tradition appears to be a thing of the past. While sweltering temperatures used to fuel complaints about the foul odour eminating from Vernon’s old sewer plant, the situation has changed since the new treatment facility opened its doors in late 2004. “We treat calls (complaints) as a No. 1 priority but we’ve had less than 10 this year,” said Tess Daoust, facility manager.
“The odour control towers work just great.” However, while the problem has been minimized, the city won’t guarantee there will never be a smell. “It’s a waste water plant. The primary function is to treat waste water,” said Daoust. The $29 million facility replaced an aging structure that had some components going back to the 1930s. It includes state-of-the-art technology, such as odour control.
According to Daoust, there’s been few complications. “There’s always bugs to work out and there’s still some things we’re working on. But it’s met expectations and our effluent quality is great,” she said. To demonstrate the centre’s capabilities, staff frequently shows off a bottle of treated effluent water next to water that’s come out of Kalamalka Lake and Duteau Creek. “It’s fairly high quality water after it’s been treated,” said Hedy Brouwer, a lab technician. The treated waste water is used to irrigate fields, parks and golf courses, while the sludge is turned into Ogogrow fertilizer for residential gardens. “It’s a high-demand product,” Brouwer said of the high-nutrient Ogogrow. An ongoing issue for the facility is people illegallly dumping contaminants, such as paint and oil, into toilets or down drains. Recently, Kelowna’s treatment facility scrambled after a form of acid entered the system. “It could be catastrophic and kill the bacteria we use to treat effluent,” said Brouwer. The city is currently seeking provincial approval to amend its operating certificate to reflect the new plant.
“It currently reflects structures no longer here,” said Dale Danallanko, environmental services manager. To generate awareness about the facility, tours will be held for Vernonites Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. “It’s important for the public to come down and see what happens here,” said Daoust. To book a space on the tour, call 550-3628.