Once the treatment process starts, it involves several stages: 

• Particle Removal: In the Grit and Screen Building, larger materials are removed from the wastewater.
• Sedimentation: The water’s speed is slowed down so that smaller particles can settle at the bottom in the Primary Sedimentation Basins.
• Biological Treatment: Microorganisms in the Bioreactors eat away the waste, cleaning the water in the process.
• Secondary Clarification: Any remaining microorganisms are separated from the water in the Secondary Clarifiers.
• UV Disinfection: Before being released, the water is disinfected using UV light to ensure it’s free from harmful bacteria.
• Digestion: Sludge, the solid waste separated from the water, is broken down to produce methane, which in turn is used to heat the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Sludge Management: The remaining solid waste is stored and eventually used as a soil conditioner for farming.

Throughout this entire process, the plant in Saskatoon ensures the treated water meets strict environmental criteria. Laboratory technicians conduct tests on more than 7,500 samples every year, ensuring every drop of water returned to the South Saskatchewan River is safe for the environment.

Saskatoon’s commitment to wastewater management demonstrates how cities can effectively manage and treat wastewater, ensuring both the well-being of their residents and the protection of the environment. It serves as a shining example for other cities to follow.

For more information on wastewater systems regulated by the Water Security Agency, please follow the links below.

• Wastewater quality data & inspection reports

• Drinking Water & Wastewater Annual Report

Wastewater Management Best Practices

Understanding how wastewater is managed is crucial for sustainable urban living, environmental protection, and public health. Here’s an in-depth look into the processes, standards, and emerging trends:

Setting Clear Expectations: General Requirements 

The Custody and Maintenance Policy (CPM) is designed to define and formalize the arrangements for maintaining wastewater treatment systems. Institutions are required to:

• Keep records of quality analysis of effluents in their Environmental Management System (EMS).
• Regularly update data regarding effluent quality. This data should be legible, dated, easily accessible, and should clearly outline its origin and the time period for which the sample was analyzed.
• Forward essential documents like lab reports, non-compliance reports, and reconstruction projects to the Regional Environmental Officer (REO) to keep them informed and to facilitate future reference.

Note: Institutions connected to municipal sewage can use their potable water usage as an estimate for sewage disposal. This is particularly handy as exact sewage quantities needn’t be measured. Also, to streamline the routine data monitoring process, integrating this responsibility into the Maintenance Management System (MMS) can be considered.

Wastewater Disposal Standards 

Wastewater disposal is governed by strict regulations:

• Before being released into receiving waters, effluents must meet the federal guidelines concerning effluent quality.
• Disposal should also align with local environmental, provincial, and municipal standards. If the upstream water quality is subpar, the discharged effluents should maintain or even enhance the downstream water quality.
• Diluting effluents to meet disposal standards is prohibited.
• Protecting aquatic life and migratory birds is paramount. Harmful substances should not be introduced into their habitats.
• Institutional sectors are encouraged to reduce environmental risks by ensuring hazardous wastes are not disposed of through sewage systems.

Looking Forward: The Future of Wastewater Management 

Wastewater management has evolved significantly, thanks to technology, increased environmental consciousness, and a realization of sustainable resource management. Here’s a look at what’s shaping the future:

• Water Reuse and Recycling: Treating wastewater for multiple purposes, including potable use, is gaining importance due to depleting freshwater resources.
• Nutrient and Energy Recovery: Wastewater is now seen as a resource. Nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen are reclaimed for fertilizers, and anaerobic digestion techniques convert wastewater into energy-rich biogas.
• Technological Integration: There’s a steady move towards decentralized treatment systems, especially in remote or burgeoning regions. Simultaneously, digitalization, automation, and advanced filtration like MBRs and nanofiltration enhance treatment efficiency and monitoring.
• Sustainable Practices: From transforming biosolids into valuable resources to incorporating nature-driven solutions and focusing on contaminants like microplastics and pharmaceuticals, the sector is striving for eco-friendliness and public health.
• Community and Resilience: Engaging communities, adapting to climate change impacts, and embracing circular economy principles underline a holistic approach to water management.
• Collaborative Efforts: Partnerships between public and private sectors are bridging gaps in expertise, technology, and funding to revamp wastewater infrastructure.

In essence, the evolving perspective on wastewater is heartening. No longer just a waste, it’s now recognized as a resource with immense potential, marking a promising shift towards sustainable living.