Blackburn Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Study

SECTION 1.0
STUDY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Integral to the continued growth and development of the City of Prince George is a
reliable sewage collection and treatment system that meets current environmental
standards. Over the years, steady development has taken place in the city central areas
and the Nechako area to the north of the city core. Within the Blackburn area, which
is located east of the Fraser River in the east sector of the City, development has been
curtailed due to limited water supply to this area. In addition to the water supply
system, irhastructure is in place for sewage collection and treatment. The City of
Prince George is serviced primarily by one main wastewater treatment facility located
on Lansdowne Road. Outlying subdivisions or sewage collection areas such as the
Blackbum area are serviced by small satellite wastewater treatment facilities.
Until recently, there has been a development moratorium in place in the Blackbum
area due to inadequate water supply. The water supply system has now been upgraded
and the moratorium lifted. It is anticipated that the Blackbum area will experience a
healthy population growth rate and the planned population horizon of 5,000 could be
realized in the next 25 years.
With the anticipated growth and development in the Blackbum area, the City now
wishes to consider the most appropriate and economic option for wastewater
collection/treatment, as well as being in compliance with the new Municipal Sewage
Regulations. The issues that drive the evaluation of options are the capacity of the
existing treatment facility to meet effluent quality criteria; and, the high inflow and
infiltration @'I) peak flows into the collection system that impart hydraulic limitations
both at the Mackus Road pumpstation and at the treatment facility. .
Further to the issues related to the existing sewage collection and treatment system and
the anticipated population growth projections for the Blackbum area, the City of
Prince George commissioned Reid Crowther and Partners Ltd. in September 1999, to
prepare a study to evaluate options on how to manage sewage collected within the
Blackburn sewerage area. This report presents these f ndings; identifies and evaluates
options using both economic and non-economic criteria; and recommends an
implementation plan.