HRM's Source Control Program Addresses Need to Prohibit Discharge of Contaminants into the Municipal Sewer System.
The sewage from our kitchens and bathrooms is not the only source of contaminants entering Halifax Harbour. Joining the sewage in the various collection systems that feed the dozens of outfalls which currently discharge into the harbour, are many contaminants. Chemical waste from households, businesses, institutions and industry all contribute a wide variety of pollutants. If the Halifax Harbour Solutions Project is to be successful, many different contaminants must be removed from the wastewater that flows under our streets, and ends up in the harbour.
In conjunction with the Halifax Harbour Solutions Program (HHSP), HRM has initiated a Source Control Strategy, now referred to as the Pollution Prevention (P2) Program, aimed at reducing the levels of nutrients, metals and toxins currently entering the wastewater system and, ultimately, the Halifax Harbour. In July of 2001, HRM put in place the Wastewater Discharge By-Law (W-101) which regulates the discharge of specified substances and concentrations, such as, paints, solvents and other hazardous, metal-rich and toxic products and wastes. The Pollution Prevention (P2) Program enforces compliance with the Wastewater Discharge By-Law through planning, education, inspections, and monitoring at the source of these discharges. More details on HRM's P2 Program and the Wastewater Discharge By-Law can be found on the HRM Wastewater Treatment website.
The P2 Program is an on-going operational activity of HRM. HRM staff maintain information of industrial, commercial and institutional locations which assists in the management of regulating contaminant levels in the municipal systems. Through this program, existing and new development is included in procedures for compliance monitoring and enforcement of prohibited discharges. Best management practices for industrial and commercial sectors are being developed to assist these locations in achieving compliance. Educational material has also been developed for the residential sector to permit the direct participation of the public in the reduction of contamination released to our waterways. There are estimated to be approximately 6,000 institutional, commercial and industrial sites which will be evaluated and inspected under the program within approximately the next 4 years.
The P2 Program has been, and will continue to be, promoted through a number of media, including the Naturally Green Newsletter, water billing inserts, Burnside News, Enviro-Connect, Nova Scotia's Environmental News, Maritime Water and Wastewater publication, HRM's website (www.halifax.ca), as well as the Canadian Centre for Pollution Control website and a comprehensive public awareness program now being developed by HRM.
The implementation and continued maintenance of this program is key to the success of the proposed Halifax Harbour Solutions Project. As a Source Control Strategy, it complements the HHSP by increasing the effectiveness of wastewater treatment plant efficiencies and will assist in improving the quality of resulting sludge or biosolids. Implementation of the P2 program is being coordinated with the development of the new Sewage Treatment Plants (STP). HRM will work with dischargers in each of the STP sewersheds to ensure that they are in compliance before the plants begin operation.. All dischargers will thus be expected to be aware of the by-law provisions and in compliance within the overall STP development timeframe. Inspections and unannounced monitoring will determine whether businesses are in fact in compliance with the by-law.
HRM's Sewage Treatment Plants will use a process known as advanced primary treatment. This level of treatment includes mechanical solids separation augmented by chemical treatment to enhance removal of suspended solids. Effluent will be disinfected with ultraviolet (UV) light prior to discharge. Advanced primary treatment removes up to 50% of the Biochemical Oxygen Demand and 75% of the suspended solids in the wastewater. Regardless of what process is used to treat the sewage, there will always be biosolids produced and a need for a source control program. Citizens and businesses within HRM must be committed to being environmentally responsible if the quality of the water in our Harbour is to be improved.
The P2 Program encourages the following actions:
Through the Pollution Control Program, HRM is working with businesses to identify harmful waste materials and limit their use or disposal. Depots for the disposal of household hazardous waste have been set up to provide for safe disposal of these materials. HRM will be embarking on a public awareness campaign to reach as many residents and businesses with these messages in an effort to help people make informed decisions about what may be harmful to dispose of through the sewage system and how these substances affect the ability of the sewage treatment plants to treat the raw sewage before it is discharged into the Harbour.
