Wastewater Treatment | Page 5 of 8

Donovan Strata Wastewater Treatment

by MSR Solutions | Mar 23, 2019 | Analysis and Consultation, news, Wastewater Treatment

Donovan Avenue is an 8-lot strata subdivision under construction within the city of Colwood, BC. Tycor Developments retained MSR Solutions to design services for an onsite wastewater treatment and disposal system servicing the strata.

We began the design process by conducting a site assessment, consisting of soils analysis and percolation testing. MSR then worked in conjunction with the client to maximize the scope of the development. We provided an accurate assessment of how much daily flow could be treated and disposed of on site. We then determined the number of serviceable housing units for this onsite wastewater system.

Optimizing Strata Potential

Optimizing development potential is an area in which MSR continues to excel. We do this to the benefit of our land development clients. MSR Solutions takes a pragmatic approach to assessing household flow rates. We base it on recent real-world data which factors in modern low-flow fixtures. Then, we apply cutting edge technologies in our designs. This ensures disposal of the properly treated wastewater in a manner that protects public safety and the environment. This innovative approach sets MSR Solutions apart from all the others. It makes us the firm of choice for land development clients. Especially those looking to maximize the potential of their projects in locations outside of established municipal sewer service areas.

Balancing Requirements with Functionality and Aesthetics

There were tight space constraints at the Donovan Avenue strata site. MSR Solutions provided a system layout which carefully balanced the technical requirements of the wastewater system with the functional and aesthetic considerations of the strata residents. The onsite wastewater treatment and disposal system is now installed and successfully commissioned. Construction on housing unit is now proceeding. The design includes provisions for future decommissioning as well as connection to the municipal sewer system.

Please visit our Services page for more information on what we provide our clients.

Aspengrove School Athletic Centre

by MSR Solutions | Mar 8, 2019 | Analysis and Consultation, news, Wastewater Treatment

Located in Lantzville (BC), Aspengrove School is a private K-12 school, including a pre-school daycare centre. The school is constructing an athletic centre and as the architectural drawing provided by the client show, it will be located within the school lot and will have toilets and showers.

MSR Solutions Inc. is working with the Aspengrove School to review the capacity of the school’s wastewater treatment and disposal systems and provide solutions to accommodate wastewater load from the proposed development. The proposed gym will have eight showers; however, showers are the main potential contributing factor to wastewater flow.

The existing on-site wastewater treatment system at the school was originally designed to accommodate a Daily Design Flow (DDF) of 5,660 Lpd (1,245 Impgd) in 2008 and was upgraded to accommodate a DDF of 22,700 Lpd (5,000 Impgd) in 2010. The existing treatment system will include: one NPS CA20; and six Ecoflo units (6-650B units with peat filtration).

The Sewerage System Regulation (SSR) govern regulations for the existing system. The SSR applies to onsite wastewater treatment systems, including those for houses, schools, small businesses, and similar small community systems.

Scope of Work

The below works are required to be conducted to provide sewer servicing for the Athletic Centre and to keep the DDF under 22,700 Lpd (5,000 Impgd):

Installation of low flow showers is a must
Installation of a timers system for the showers is strongly recommended
Installation of an equalization tank as a balancing storage
Installation of an effluent filter
Installation of a new lift station to provide timed dosing to the existing treatment system
Installation of a UV unit
Monitoring works for the existing fields

The proposed improvement was filed with Island Health (VIHA) under BC SSR. At time of writing the project was in the permitting process.

To see more of the services we offer, visit our Services page.

Spirit Bay

by MSR Solutions | Feb 10, 2019 | Analysis and Consultation, Land Development, news, Operations and Maintenance, Wastewater Treatment

Spirit Bay – Vancouver Island

The design of the Spirit Bay, Sunset Point subdivision is now well underway by MSR Solutions. As part of the design review, we attend the monthly open house with the developer and guests. We are part of ensuring this unique vision comes to life. We listen to potential residents on what they look for in access and servicing to their home sites. MSR Solutions offers support in designing a unique road layout. We will incorporate safety, traffic calming, improved and natural drainage, as well as parking and courtyard entrances.

This is a comprehensive project that includes: water distribution, sewage collection and treatment, district energy distribution, BC Hydro and private power service, road and storm water design, lot services, gas distribution, and TELUS/Shaw distribution.

We work closely with our client to understand their needs and provide feedback for support and revisions. It is part of our philosophy to provide innovative solutions as well as have the full input of our client. This ensures we have their vision fully incorporated into the designs. Come out to Spirit Bay. Experience a different kind of subdivision growing on some incredible land.

We’ve been working with MSR for the past five years from the commencement of the project in dealing with regulatory authorities for water systems and the wastewater treatment plant. They provided unique and alternative designs to allow phasing of the development in a cost effective manner.

MSR Solutions has been retained as the town engineer to oversee all construction works and to provide standardization of servicing and access in a constrained site, in keeping with a European small town design. They are highly responsive, work with integrity and listen to our vision and concerns. They are a willing and positive partner in this long term development.

Kris Obrigewitsch
The Trust for Sustainable Development

Dickerson Place

by MSR Solutions | Jan 28, 2019 | Land Development, news, Wastewater Treatment

Dickerson Place is property located in Colwood, BC. MSR was contacted by the owners of the property to provide engineering consultation for the subdivision of their property into two separate lots. MSR will help with the investigation of and upgrades to the existing wastewater treatment system as well as provide a design for the new wastewater treatment system required for the new home. MSR is also coordinating with the City of Colwood for the subdivision process and the required servicing for each lots.

Matt Gable, the project designer and drafting designer, has gone out to site to investigate the property’s soil characteristics by conducting test pits and percolation tests. He has also determined the configuration and capacity of the existing wastewater system and appropriate upgrades that need to be implemented to the system. The City of Colwood issued the Preliminary Layout Assessment (PLA) for the subdivision. MSR Solutions has responded with our proposal for the civil works included in the lot frontage works. We are currently waiting on the review of our proposal by the City of Colwood.

Table and Haggen Camps

by MSR Solutions | Jan 24, 2019 | news, Wastewater Treatment

These two projects are located outside of Prince George, BC, down forest service roads. MSR Solutions was hired by Canfor and the installer, West Kootenay Septic Solutions (WKSS). We designed a wastewater treatment system to service a 50 person remote camp to act as a home base for the surrounding area to be logged. The camp facilities include: bathrooms, showers, laundry and kitchens.

Matt Gable, who was the project designer and drafting designer, went out to each respective site to investigate the camp areas. Test pits and percolation tests were conducted to determine the soil characteristics and a suitable location for the disposal field. Due to the remoteness of the camp, the client wanted the system to be simple to use with low maintenance requirements. To meet this request, a gravity fed Type 1 septic system was designed and installed to service the camp.

The client had plans to possibly increase the camp from 50 to 70 workers so MSR provided provisions for the system to be increased in capacity if need be. The disposal field and septic tanks were designed so that it would be easy to expand the fields and add additional septic tanks. Areas for future equipment were also provided in the design and installation. Both systems have now been installed and Letter of Certifications have been submitted to the Health Authority for both camps.

MSR has a long history with Canfor and WKSS on many past and present projects because we have provided cost effective and robust systems that satisfies the client as well as the installers. MSR has been pleased to have work both of them and will continue to work with them in the future projects to come.

Canfor Tumuch Camp Upgrades

by MSR Solutions | Jan 22, 2019 | Wastewater Treatment

This project is located outside of Prince George, BC near Tumuch Lake. MSR Solutions was hired by Canfor and the installers, West Kootenay Septic Solutions (WKSS) in 2016. We were hired to design a wastewater treatment system to service a 35 person remote camp to act as a home base for the surrounding area to be logged. The camp’s facilities include bathrooms, showers, laundry and kitchens.

Matt Gable, who was the project designer and drafting designer, went out to site to investigate the camp area. Test pits and percolation tests were conducted to determine the soil characteristics and a suitable location for the disposal field. Due to the remoteness of the camp, the client wanted the system to be simple to use with low maintenance requirements. To meet this request, a gravity fed Type 1 septic system was designed and installed to service the camp.

In 2018, MSR was again brought on to upgrade the existing system to meet their new need for a 70 person camp. MSR provided additional treatment for the system and amended the filing to be sent to the Health Authority. The project has since then been completed with the system operating as designed.