Herold Engineering retained the services of MSR Solutions to design a potable water and a septic system for the Meadowood Community Centre, located in Qualicum Beach, BC. MSR Solutions prepared two filings for Meadowood Community Centre for the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA). This was part of MSR Solutions scope of work including: Sewerage System Regulation (SSR) Filing and Source Water Approval with a Construction Permit.
The lot chosen for the new community centre is mostly vacant. It was once used as a gravel pit and only has a small playground on the property. Some of the features the new park will have include areas and equipment for children to play, sheltered picnic tables, natural landscaping and the community centre built with portables from School District 69.
Septic tanks equipped with effluent filters, an equalization tank, and a pressurized disposal field comprise the wastewater treatment system. A well will be drilled on site to supply the facilities with drinking water. In the meantime, a potable water tank, installed and filled by a bulk water hauler approved by VIHA, will be on site.
MSR Solutions conducted a site investigation to determine a suitable the location for the disposal field. We dug five percolation test pits and recorded the percolation rates. The MSR representatives determined the most suitable location for the septic field. MSR completed a full site inspection report with information pertaining to each test pit. The report included where the optimum location where the field should be constructed.
Future Site Investigations Planned
Another site investigation will take place to commission the system once the water and wastewater systems are completed. MSR Solutions continues to communicate closely with the client and theRegional District of Nanaimo to complete the works on time and on budget.
The Lodgepole Road wastewater treatment plant is located in theStonebridge Development in Mill Bay, BC. MSR Solutions is working with the Limona Groupon this project.
MSR is developing and designing a new water system for this project. This water system will provide up to 150 units of water capacity for the future Stonebridge Development on Lodgepole Road.
We continue to work with Limona and the Mill Bay water district. The goal is to create conditions that makes use of smaller wells and smaller flows. These will combine to create development capacity for the entire Stonebridge Development.
Creative Solutions
MSR works closely with Limona to provide creative solutions in water capacity, for Stonebridge, as well as for the entire community of Mill Bay. When this project is complete, it will benefit the Stonebridge subdivision and also allow for the Lodgepole Road development of ten new units. This part of the project should be completed in late 2019.
MSR Solutions Inc. has completed a comprehensive study for Cherry Point Marina on possible wastewater treatment servicing options. The marina owner supports the two following options:
Onsite Treatment and Discharge to the CVRD Outfall
This proposed option offers an on-site package treatment plant and off-site disposal using the CVRD outfall. We propose a Class A treatment system for this option. Discharge to water bodies is allowed using the CVRD’s waste discharge authorization, with an amendment application. The connection to the outfall requires approval from the CVRD and MoE.
Influent Disposal to Lambourn WWTP through Neighbouring Property
In this option the marina wastewater treatment servicing is provided by the Lambourn WWTP. It will be via a new forcemain through the neighbouring property to the CVRD’s existing pump station. Approximately half of the forcemain will lie on the neighbouring property. Therefore the proposed forcemain will require support from the neighbouring property owner.
Salt Spring Island Ales brews a variety of beers from spring water collected on the forested hillside behind the brewery. The brewing process includes several stages, and as much as possible, solids and highly concentrated wastes are side-streamed and diverted from thewastewater treatment process.
Wastewater that reaches the treatment process has very high concentrations of sugars, alcohol and yeast. In terms of oxygen demand, brewery wastewater is about ten times more concentrated than typical domestic sewage. One of the most challenging aspects is the wide variability in both the quantity and quality. This is due primarily to the equipment cleaning regimen, which involves successive washings of strong acid, strong base and strong disinfectants. All of these have the potential to disrupt or kill the microorganisms that provide the biological treatment. The current treatment process consists of equalization, aeration, sludge re-circulation, and sedimentation. Treated effluent discharges to ground.
MSR Solutions is in the process of upgrading the wastewater treatment system of Salt Spring Island Ales to accommodate an increase in production. The future wastewater treatment facility will include improved primary treatment. It will also take advantage of both anaerobic and aerobic zones to reduce effluent strength. It will do this while simultaneously minimizing the production of solid waste. Feedback control systems will balance the wide fluctuations in pH and flow rate.
Beachview Rise is a 20 lot subdivision located in the up-and-coming Port Renfrew on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Karl Ablack from Port Renfrew Management Inc. hired MSR Solutions to provide engineering design assistance for the development. The forest development is uphill from the Port San Juan. Some homes have a spectacular view of the ocean. Others have a relaxing view of a creek and the forest on the backside of the development. The fully serviced lots will each be bare ¼ acre single family lots. Buyers are able to build their dream home on their chosen property.
MSR Solutions coordinated with another consulting firm for the design of the civil works for each lot. We designed the lift station and wastewater treatment system with the intention of connecting other surrounding communities. This will create a large community wastewater treatment system in the future. Due to the future plan of a larger scale development, the current water reservoir upgrade was created as a joint project. The current reservoir is not large enough to support the future development as well as the town of Port Renfrew. MSR Solutions coordinated with the Capital Regional District and Port Renfrew Management for upgrade of the water reservoir and the well located outside of town.
The MSR staff members on this project were: Mike Seymour (lead engineer), Arash Kanani (project engineer), and Matt Gable (drafting support).
MSR Solutions heard the client’s ideas for their future intentions for the system and provided a design to suit the large future community system.
We have worked with MSR Solutions on this project since 2016 with respect to sewer permitting with Sewerage System Regulations through the Ministry of Health. We have since taken a different approach and are now going through Municipal Waste Water Regulations through the Ministry of Environment. MSR Solutions helped us through the regulatory process with VIHA approval and continue to work with us on the MOE approval.
