Showing posts with label Filtration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Filtration. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Improvements on tap for Greater Vernon water
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Vernon posted Nov 23, 2016 at 6:00 AM
Attempts to improve water quality are going farther into Kalamalka Lake. Greater Vernon Water is in the process this week of extending the Westkal Road intake by 78 metres. “It was one of the recommendations in our watershed assessment,” said Renee Clark, water quality manager. Once the project is completed, the intake will be about 300 metres long. On top of this, the pipe will be raised from its current 0.6 metres off of the bottom of the lake to three metres. “This will help improve water quality by not pulling sediments off of the bottom of the lake during storms,” said Clark. A chlorine line has also been added, but it may never be used. “If invasive mussels show up, you do spurts of chlorine to keep them from attaching to the screens and clogging infrastructure,” said Clark. The budget for the project is $341,000, and it could possibly delay the need for filtration on the Kalamalka Lake source.
Friday, November 04, 2016
$7M for water treatment
By Kate Bouey - CASTANET Nov 4, 2016 / 5:00 am
A total of $7 million is needed for construction of an ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing system at the Duteau Creek water treatment plant but a huge chunk of that money may be sought from a joint federal-provincial program. Greater Vernon Water staff have been investigating the potential for UV treatment in an effort to meet drinking water standards set by Interior Health. Despite the pricetag, staff said it is far cheaper than building a filtration system. “A pilot project has been underway in 2016, indicating that UV treatment and chlorine management will be a cost effective alternative to filtration for meeting IH standards,” said a report before the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee. Staff have asked permission to apply for a $5.8 million grant. “I'm quite happy if we can put that in and we can put filtration off for 20 years, that will save us a heck of a lot of money,” said Vernon director Bob Spiers. “The original estimate for filtration (at Duteau) was $25 million. “If we get a grant and our costs go down to 1.2 million...our share...this is a step forward.” Spiers said it also showed that it was beneficial to have turned down the original borrowing. In a referendum a few years ago, taxpayers rejected a request to borrow $70 million for the first phase of a water upgrade, which would have included a $26.5-million filtration plant at the Duteau Creek plant. “The taxpayers should be applauded for turning down the original motion,” Spiers said.
-------------
Also See: http://www.1075kiss.com/top-news-stories/2016/11/03/sights-set-on-federal-water-funds
Don Quixote note: Staff indicated at meeting that the Master Water Plan would state that filtration at Duteau could be delayed well into the future if we installed this ultraviolet treatment method at Duteau Creek Treatment Plant. (The original plus air scrubbing has been eliminated explaining why original estimate of cost was $8-10 million and the Grant application is for $5.8 million plus a ratepayers cost of $1.2 million which will be funded through existing reserves). If the Grant application is denied this project will be scheduled to start in 2018 or 2019 . By turning down the original $70 million borrowing the Filtration Cost of $25.5 million at Duteau were reexamined with a $40,000 targeted peer review of Duteau Filtration and this alternate method was revealed.
==========
https://rdno.civicweb.net/document/61018 (p.17-19)
Infrastructure Canada Clean Water and Waste Water Fund Grant Application
A total of $7 million is needed for construction of an ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing system at the Duteau Creek water treatment plant but a huge chunk of that money may be sought from a joint federal-provincial program. Greater Vernon Water staff have been investigating the potential for UV treatment in an effort to meet drinking water standards set by Interior Health. Despite the pricetag, staff said it is far cheaper than building a filtration system. “A pilot project has been underway in 2016, indicating that UV treatment and chlorine management will be a cost effective alternative to filtration for meeting IH standards,” said a report before the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee. Staff have asked permission to apply for a $5.8 million grant. “I'm quite happy if we can put that in and we can put filtration off for 20 years, that will save us a heck of a lot of money,” said Vernon director Bob Spiers. “The original estimate for filtration (at Duteau) was $25 million. “If we get a grant and our costs go down to 1.2 million...our share...this is a step forward.” Spiers said it also showed that it was beneficial to have turned down the original borrowing. In a referendum a few years ago, taxpayers rejected a request to borrow $70 million for the first phase of a water upgrade, which would have included a $26.5-million filtration plant at the Duteau Creek plant. “The taxpayers should be applauded for turning down the original motion,” Spiers said.
-------------
Also See: http://www.1075kiss.com/top-news-stories/2016/11/03/sights-set-on-federal-water-funds
Don Quixote note: Staff indicated at meeting that the Master Water Plan would state that filtration at Duteau could be delayed well into the future if we installed this ultraviolet treatment method at Duteau Creek Treatment Plant. (The original plus air scrubbing has been eliminated explaining why original estimate of cost was $8-10 million and the Grant application is for $5.8 million plus a ratepayers cost of $1.2 million which will be funded through existing reserves). If the Grant application is denied this project will be scheduled to start in 2018 or 2019 . By turning down the original $70 million borrowing the Filtration Cost of $25.5 million at Duteau were reexamined with a $40,000 targeted peer review of Duteau Filtration and this alternate method was revealed.
==========
https://rdno.civicweb.net/document/61018 (p.17-19)
Infrastructure Canada Clean Water and Waste Water Fund Grant Application
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Community minister sees a way forward in Kelowna water dispute
by Alistair Waters - Kelowna Capital News posted Apr 22, 2016 at 6:00 PM
B.C.'s community minister says he's optimistic the City of Kelowna and the four independent irrigation districts that supply water to residents in various parts of the city will accept the recommendations put forward by a pair of mediators appointed by the province. Peter Fassbender, speaking at the Southern Interior Local Government Association convention that wrapped up in Kelowna Friday, said he believes the recommendations could end the impasse between the city and the irrigation districts in their battle over the terms of reference for a provincially-mandated value planning review of a three-year-old plan for water infrastructure improvements here. While Fassbender would not reveal what mediators George Abbott and Chris Trumpy recommended, he said he does feel the issue of future governance of the the water systems in the city should not be part of the "technical" process. That has been the position of the irrigations districts and is at the heart of the current impasse between the city and Rutland Water Works, the Black Mountain, Glenmore-Ellison and South-east Kelowna Irrigation Districts. But while Fassbender said governance should not be part of the value planner exercise, he said it must be looked at down the road. How far is now the question. Victoria, he added, is not prepared at this time to step in and order the irrigation districts to amalgamate with the city's water utility. The city wants one, integrated water system for the entire city rather than the current situation where five seperate and independent entities, including its own water utility, now provide water to residential, business and agriculture customers throughout Kelowna. On Thursday night, representatives of Rutland Water Works and the Black Mountain Irrigation District spoke to about 30 people at a meeting organized by the Rutland Residents' Association. Garry Zarr of of Rutland Water Works and Gordie Ivans of BMID said they believe the city has made the issue less about water quality and more about politics. "Unfortunately, politics has gotten in the way of this thing," said the BMID's Ivans. The city and the irrigations districts are at odds over a 2012 water plan for the entire city that all five groups signed off on and calls for more than $360 million of improvements to the existing water systems over the next 15 years. The city now feels that the work called for in the plan could be done faster and cheaper if there was just one integrated water system serving entire city. And, it feels there would be fewer water advisories issued because of potential health problems associated with water from some of the irrigation districts because they use surface water sources. Kelowna city manager Ron Mattiussi said Friday the province ordered the value planning exercise for the water plan and the city feels if there there are to be connections between irrigations districts and the city—Rutland Water Works and BMID say they already have a connection—governance has to be addressed. Irrigation districts in B.C. are independent bodies that have taxing authority and whose ratepayers fund infrastructure improvement unless government grants can be acquired. Zarr noted because of that, the city cannot force the irrigation districts to amalgamate, that would have to come from the province. Muddying the local waters is the fact the province, 10 years ago, made irrigation districts ineligible for applying for grants, telling them they had to have municipalities apply on their behalf. The city, which applied last year and was unsuccessful, also contends that the grants they are being asked to apply for on behalf of the irrigation districts are dollars they could apply for to pay for other infrastructure needs in the city. So, in essence, they are giving up on money they could use in order to secure for another another jurisdiction even though it would service its residents. It says that is one of the reasons it wants a single, interconnected water utility so funding decisions can be made with the entire city in mind. After years of talking behind the scenes about this issue, current Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran went public with the city's frustrations and called for a single water system earlier this year during his State Of The City address to the local chamber of commerce. Meanwhile, on Friday, Fassbender said the province is aware that the clock is ticking on possible grants from the federal government under its new infrastructure funding program. Ottawa is has promised millions of dollars to help municipalities pay to improve their infrastructure, especially when it comes to water. At Thursday's meeting in Rutland, Zarr said while his organization's water is very good because it comes from an underground aquifer—and both Black Mountain and, to a lesser degree, Glenmore Ellison have made improvements to their systems using their own money, South-east Kelowna, with the smallest population base, needs grants the most to improve its water system. And he said that's where the other three irrigation districts feel any grant money received should go first. Asked about the local situation Thursday at the SILGA convention, B.C.'s NDP leader John Horgan said his party would also not wade in on one side or the other, but would like to see the community work out a solution that they feel is best for all local residents.
B.C.'s community minister says he's optimistic the City of Kelowna and the four independent irrigation districts that supply water to residents in various parts of the city will accept the recommendations put forward by a pair of mediators appointed by the province. Peter Fassbender, speaking at the Southern Interior Local Government Association convention that wrapped up in Kelowna Friday, said he believes the recommendations could end the impasse between the city and the irrigation districts in their battle over the terms of reference for a provincially-mandated value planning review of a three-year-old plan for water infrastructure improvements here. While Fassbender would not reveal what mediators George Abbott and Chris Trumpy recommended, he said he does feel the issue of future governance of the the water systems in the city should not be part of the "technical" process. That has been the position of the irrigations districts and is at the heart of the current impasse between the city and Rutland Water Works, the Black Mountain, Glenmore-Ellison and South-east Kelowna Irrigation Districts. But while Fassbender said governance should not be part of the value planner exercise, he said it must be looked at down the road. How far is now the question. Victoria, he added, is not prepared at this time to step in and order the irrigation districts to amalgamate with the city's water utility. The city wants one, integrated water system for the entire city rather than the current situation where five seperate and independent entities, including its own water utility, now provide water to residential, business and agriculture customers throughout Kelowna. On Thursday night, representatives of Rutland Water Works and the Black Mountain Irrigation District spoke to about 30 people at a meeting organized by the Rutland Residents' Association. Garry Zarr of of Rutland Water Works and Gordie Ivans of BMID said they believe the city has made the issue less about water quality and more about politics. "Unfortunately, politics has gotten in the way of this thing," said the BMID's Ivans. The city and the irrigations districts are at odds over a 2012 water plan for the entire city that all five groups signed off on and calls for more than $360 million of improvements to the existing water systems over the next 15 years. The city now feels that the work called for in the plan could be done faster and cheaper if there was just one integrated water system serving entire city. And, it feels there would be fewer water advisories issued because of potential health problems associated with water from some of the irrigation districts because they use surface water sources. Kelowna city manager Ron Mattiussi said Friday the province ordered the value planning exercise for the water plan and the city feels if there there are to be connections between irrigations districts and the city—Rutland Water Works and BMID say they already have a connection—governance has to be addressed. Irrigation districts in B.C. are independent bodies that have taxing authority and whose ratepayers fund infrastructure improvement unless government grants can be acquired. Zarr noted because of that, the city cannot force the irrigation districts to amalgamate, that would have to come from the province. Muddying the local waters is the fact the province, 10 years ago, made irrigation districts ineligible for applying for grants, telling them they had to have municipalities apply on their behalf. The city, which applied last year and was unsuccessful, also contends that the grants they are being asked to apply for on behalf of the irrigation districts are dollars they could apply for to pay for other infrastructure needs in the city. So, in essence, they are giving up on money they could use in order to secure for another another jurisdiction even though it would service its residents. It says that is one of the reasons it wants a single, interconnected water utility so funding decisions can be made with the entire city in mind. After years of talking behind the scenes about this issue, current Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran went public with the city's frustrations and called for a single water system earlier this year during his State Of The City address to the local chamber of commerce. Meanwhile, on Friday, Fassbender said the province is aware that the clock is ticking on possible grants from the federal government under its new infrastructure funding program. Ottawa is has promised millions of dollars to help municipalities pay to improve their infrastructure, especially when it comes to water. At Thursday's meeting in Rutland, Zarr said while his organization's water is very good because it comes from an underground aquifer—and both Black Mountain and, to a lesser degree, Glenmore Ellison have made improvements to their systems using their own money, South-east Kelowna, with the smallest population base, needs grants the most to improve its water system. And he said that's where the other three irrigation districts feel any grant money received should go first. Asked about the local situation Thursday at the SILGA convention, B.C.'s NDP leader John Horgan said his party would also not wade in on one side or the other, but would like to see the community work out a solution that they feel is best for all local residents.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Duteau details outlined online
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 14, 2016 at 1:00 AM
Some details on Greater Vernon’s water utility are being handed over to the public. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee received information on the proposed ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing pilot project Thursday, and it was decided to post it on the regional district website. “This is all public information and accessible,” said director Doug Dirk. However, director Mike Macnabb challenged placing the details on the web. “How many people will understand it? Are we setting a precedent where every technical document is presented and every armchair expert provides comment?” he said, adding that may create public confusion. “As we put the information out, it could be detrimental.” However, a majority of the committee agreed with providing the information via the Internet. “We’re not in a position of editing those,” said Dirk of public documents. The goal of the $40,000 pilot project is to possibly defer filtration on Duteau Creek. The Interior Health Authority and the provincial government have been pushing for filtration as a way of reducing the impact of water-based illness. Filtration could cost between $18 and $36 million, while an ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing facility would range from $8 to $10 million.
================
Don Quixote Note:
The report is the result of a $30,000 peer review of filtration at Duteau. GVAC requested that it be presented to GVAC (See Page. 80-89) http://www.rdno.ca/agendas/160211_AGN_GVAC_Reg_BW_FULL.pdf
This report was requested to be placed online at the master water page http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/engineering/water/greater-vernon-water/master-water-plan as an additional report of information to all the TM memos.
Some details on Greater Vernon’s water utility are being handed over to the public. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee received information on the proposed ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing pilot project Thursday, and it was decided to post it on the regional district website. “This is all public information and accessible,” said director Doug Dirk. However, director Mike Macnabb challenged placing the details on the web. “How many people will understand it? Are we setting a precedent where every technical document is presented and every armchair expert provides comment?” he said, adding that may create public confusion. “As we put the information out, it could be detrimental.” However, a majority of the committee agreed with providing the information via the Internet. “We’re not in a position of editing those,” said Dirk of public documents. The goal of the $40,000 pilot project is to possibly defer filtration on Duteau Creek. The Interior Health Authority and the provincial government have been pushing for filtration as a way of reducing the impact of water-based illness. Filtration could cost between $18 and $36 million, while an ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing facility would range from $8 to $10 million.
================
Don Quixote Note:
The report is the result of a $30,000 peer review of filtration at Duteau. GVAC requested that it be presented to GVAC (See Page. 80-89) http://www.rdno.ca/agendas/160211_AGN_GVAC_Reg_BW_FULL.pdf
This report was requested to be placed online at the master water page http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/engineering/water/greater-vernon-water/master-water-plan as an additional report of information to all the TM memos.
Friday, January 08, 2016
Scrubbing the water
by Kate Bouey - CASTANET Jan 8, 2016 / 5:00 am
It sounds like science fiction, but Greater Vernon Water staff want to to try air scrubbing Duteau Creek water in order for it to reach Interior Health Authority drinking standards. They hope to start a $40,000 pilot project using ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing in order to kill protozoa, tiny organisms that inhabit the water even after it has been chlorinated. Staff plan to apply for $10,000 in provincial funds while another $30,000 would come from the operations budget, if approved by the North Okanagan Regional District's board of directors. While the Duteau water treatment plant meets provincial standards for turbidity, virus and bacteria removal, it does not meet standards to remove protozoa. “Part of the problem is filtration is extremely expensive,” said Dale McTaggart, NORD's general manager of engineering. A proposed filtration facility costing $18 million to $36 million was defeated by voters in a 2014 borrowing referendum. The pilot study would test the technologies before a significant investment in them was made. McTaggart said if they work, building a facility would be significantly less money than filtration. Preliminary construction estimates put such a facility in the $8 million to $10 million range. “We're rolling the dice with eight to ten million,” said advisory council director Bob Spiers. But McTaggart countered that if the project worked for ten or 20 years, new technology could be available by then to make cleaning the water much less expensive. “There are a lot of variables,” conceded McTaggart.
-------------
Duteau filtration could be abandoned
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 8, 2016 at 1:00 AM
The contentious issue of filtration on the Duteau Creek water treatment plant could eventually be shelved. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee will apply for a $10,000 provincial grant for an ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing pilot project. “We’re trying to find a way to defer filtration,” said director Bob Spiers. A peer review of the Duteau Creek plant stated, “the addition of filtration process may provide only marginal benefits in terms of water quality improvement.” The Interior Health Authority and the provincial government have been pushing for filtration as a way of reducing the impact of water-based illness. Dale McTaggart, general manager of engineering, says ultraviolet treatment can remove giardia and cryptosporidium. “If we can make this work for 20 years, there may be other technologies than filtration,” he said. Filtration could range from $18 to $36 million, while an ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing facility would range from $8 to $10 million. The pilot project’s total price tag would be $40,000. If the grant isn’t successful, the project will still proceed.
It sounds like science fiction, but Greater Vernon Water staff want to to try air scrubbing Duteau Creek water in order for it to reach Interior Health Authority drinking standards. They hope to start a $40,000 pilot project using ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing in order to kill protozoa, tiny organisms that inhabit the water even after it has been chlorinated. Staff plan to apply for $10,000 in provincial funds while another $30,000 would come from the operations budget, if approved by the North Okanagan Regional District's board of directors. While the Duteau water treatment plant meets provincial standards for turbidity, virus and bacteria removal, it does not meet standards to remove protozoa. “Part of the problem is filtration is extremely expensive,” said Dale McTaggart, NORD's general manager of engineering. A proposed filtration facility costing $18 million to $36 million was defeated by voters in a 2014 borrowing referendum. The pilot study would test the technologies before a significant investment in them was made. McTaggart said if they work, building a facility would be significantly less money than filtration. Preliminary construction estimates put such a facility in the $8 million to $10 million range. “We're rolling the dice with eight to ten million,” said advisory council director Bob Spiers. But McTaggart countered that if the project worked for ten or 20 years, new technology could be available by then to make cleaning the water much less expensive. “There are a lot of variables,” conceded McTaggart.
-------------
Duteau filtration could be abandoned
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 8, 2016 at 1:00 AM
The contentious issue of filtration on the Duteau Creek water treatment plant could eventually be shelved. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee will apply for a $10,000 provincial grant for an ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing pilot project. “We’re trying to find a way to defer filtration,” said director Bob Spiers. A peer review of the Duteau Creek plant stated, “the addition of filtration process may provide only marginal benefits in terms of water quality improvement.” The Interior Health Authority and the provincial government have been pushing for filtration as a way of reducing the impact of water-based illness. Dale McTaggart, general manager of engineering, says ultraviolet treatment can remove giardia and cryptosporidium. “If we can make this work for 20 years, there may be other technologies than filtration,” he said. Filtration could range from $18 to $36 million, while an ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing facility would range from $8 to $10 million. The pilot project’s total price tag would be $40,000. If the grant isn’t successful, the project will still proceed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)