The Town of Golden’s wastewater treatment plant is authorized by the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy through registration under the BC Municipal Wastewater Regulation, authorization #17595. After approximately 20 years of operation, there is the need to replace/maintain the aeration system. Below is a summary of the wastewater facilities and the intended maintenance works.
The Town’s wastewater treatment plant consists of a macerator, biological treatment by two aerated lagoons followed by two sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) and UV disinfection before discharge via an outfall into the Columbia River. Sludge is treated by aerobic digestion. There is also a storage pond on-site which is used to hold excess flows during storm events and snow melt. The SBRs were constructed in 2004 and, after approximately 20 years of operation, there is the need to repair, replace and maintain the aeration system. These works are needed to avoid future deterioration in the effluent quality and cannot be completed without taking the SBRs off-line.
The intent is to take one SBR at a time off-line in order to repair, replace and maintain the aeration equipment, i.e. the diffusers and piping. The works are scheduled to occur from October 1st, 2023 through to November 25th, 2023. The following will be implemented in the aim of retaining effluent quality and reducing the potential for impacts:
- Only 1 SBR will be taken off-line at a time, with the other SBR being fully operational. In addition, all other processes at the wastewater treatment plant will be in full operation, in order to optimise performance when an SBR is off-line.
- When being brought back on-line, the SBR will be reseeded with sludge from the operational SBR. This will help shorten the time period before stable treatment is achieved.
- Before starting the by-passes, the levels in the aerobic digesters will be adjusted to allow increased wasting of sludge over a shorter period of time.
- The water level in the storage cell will be maintained at the current low level before the works commence in order to maximise the ability to store effluent should there be a concern with quality.
- Increased monitoring and cleaning of the UV system.
If you have comments or questions, please contact:
Chris Cochran, AScT
Director of Public Works
ops@golden.ca