The Town of Drumheller is hoping to get some action from the Alberta Government to assist in replacing the wastewater treatment plant in East Coulee.
This week Mayor Terry Yemen wrote a letter to the Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Ray Danyluk informing him of the urgent need for a commitment from the province on the project.
“We’re dealing with wastewater… it could have some implications if there were a failure,” said Yemen.
The Rotating Biological Contact (RBC) treatment system was constructed in 1982 with used equipment, and has outlived its designed lifespan of 20 years. In the fall of 2006, a mechanical assessment was completed which showed that it is nearing the end of its life.
There have been a few upgrades and maintenance over the years. Yemen said at one point a new impellor was installed which improved performance.
“We anticipate the failure of the RBC could happen any day resulting in sewage having to be transported to the Drumheller Wastewater Treatment Plant,” Yemen states in his letter.
In fact, he tells The Mail that at one point the wastewater had to be trucked to Drumheller for treatment in 2006.
According to Yemen, the project has been in the queue for funding with the province for four years. Most recently, last spring the Town received correspondence that the project is eligible under the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership and will be considered for funding approval.
At the time, the total estimated project costs were $1,275,000 and would be eligible for 75 per cent funding based on population, or $955,000.
“Replacing the RBC with a new, modern treatment system will improve reliability and compliance with our operational approval,” states the letter. “It will also increase the capacity of our plant, which will ensure the health, safety and protection of the environment for the town and surrounding areas while meeting future regulatory requirements.”
