The Process
Water Treatment and Hydro Generation
Surface water undergoes coarse filtration in the filter sock chamber, which houses six perforated PVC pipes covered with mesh filter media (socks). Each pipe is approximately 12” in diameter and 8’ long. Coarse filtration removes large debris, such as leaves, sticks, pine needles, frogs, etc. These filter socks can become clogged, especially during the freshet, and require constant monitoring and cleaning. Coarse filtration is not technically considered part of the water treatment process because fine materials and micro-organisms are not removed.
Before the water from the sock chamber moves to the water treatment plant it is sent to the Micro Hydro generation station. When the coarse-filtered water is sent to the generation station, the high pressure in the water main turns the micro hydro generator, which creates hydroelectricity. This electricity is sold to BC Hydro and is fed back into their power grid. The Village is licensed to produce 50 kilowatts of power. From the generating station, the coarse-filtered water is sent on to the water treatment plant.
At the water treatment plant, the treatment process for surface water consists of membrane microfiltration, UV light and chlorine injection. This is a very technical operation, which is classified as a Level II Water Treatment and Water Distribution system. Once treated, the water is stored in the Village’s million-gallon reservoir.
The million-gallon reservoir has an interior liner over its bottom and sides, and a polyvinyl chloride cover over the top to keep out debris and wildlife. Towers and weights installed around the perimeter of the reservoir allow the cover to move with the water level. The reservoir is 14’ deep.
The Village also has a 200,000 gallon reservoir, which stores treated water for the lower grid.
Surface Water Sources
Surface water sources consist of Halfway Creek, Upper Brouse Creek and Lower Brouse Creek. The piping network consists of 3.5 kilometers of pipe to the Upper Brouse intake and an additional 3.5 kilometers to the Halfway intake.
Groundwater Sources
The Village currently has two established production wells: Well#1 and Well#2. Both wells are located adjacent to the sports complex and are drawn from the same aquifer. A small amount of chlorine is injected into the discharge line, in order to maintain a residual in the distribution system.
Well#1 (8”) consistently produces 25 L/s (330 IGPM), taking the demand off the surface water system in the summer, and it operates up to 24 hours/day. This flow, combined with the 70 L/s from the surface system (during peak daily demand), provides 95 L/s summer flows. This flow is adequate for the needs of the village at the present time. A single well, however, leaves the village at risk in the event of mechanical breakdown.
Well#2 (12”) was drilled for redundancy and to accommodate village growth, and it has been tested up to 63 L/s (800 IGPM). This well was commissioned with the same pump and motor as Well #1 and, therefore has the same capacity.
Monitoring & Maintenance
In addition to the daily facility checks that are conducted by Utility Operators, the Village has the benefit of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This system allows the various facilities to communicate remotely through wireless modem radios and sensing equipment, enabling Public Works operators to log onto the system to view and/or manipulate reservoir levels, well pump operations, turbidity and chlorine levels, and system flows. The system also logs this data into an archive for reporting purposes. The system is a very valuable component of the water system, allowing operators to manage the water supplies and view problems on an on-going basis.
Water Sampling & Testing
With the implementation of the new water treatment plant (2014), the following Water Quality Monitoring Program was instituted: