Client

Town of Crossfield

Year

2022

Location

Crossfield, Alberta

Project Summary

Our team of biologists, engineers, and installation crew have installed a 70 Can-Air Mega X2 diffuser aeration system within the town's facultative wastewater lagoon to help improve oxygen levels, BOD, and TSS. This project aims to help the town increase its existing wastewater facility to prepare for rapid community growth while continuing to meet stringent environmental standards.

Crossfield Lagoon Aeration Upgrade Project

Project Objective & Goals

Add aeration to the facultative cell to increase the system's capacity to account for rapid community expansion.
Maintain levels of CBOD and TSS at or below provincial standards for release
Maintain DO at or above 2.0 mg/L

Methods

Install 70 Can-Air Mega X2 diffusers on two lengths of floating HDPE laterals
Install two 420 CFM blowers to supply the system
Install two baffle curtains
Install all in-water equipment using boats, diffuser positioning hooks, and drones to confirm positioning
The system is designed to operate all year to maintain adequate oxygen levels within the lagoon.
Operators collect monthly water samples to ensure water quality.
Installed VFDs allows operators to adjust the system based on seasonal oxygen demands.

Challenges

Tight project timeline due to rapid expansion
Obtain Alberta Environment's (AEP) approval for the proposed system
Limited historical data
Maintaining DO levels
Installing the system in a full and functional lagoon
Site conditions: high winds
Energy consumption concerns

Timeline

Project awarded: April 2022

System commissioning: Oct 2022

Planned Solutions

To accommodate to a tight schedule and prevent further delays, our team worked proactively to pre-order material to avoid shortages.
Frequent meetings to update the client on progress and rush approvals
Early communication and clear plan to address AEP for project approval
With limited data we planned to begin monthly water sampling immediately and continue sampling for a minimum of 2 years to compare pre-aeration levels with aerated data.
Work closely with our wastewater engineers to calculate required oxygen demand of the system
Use of boats, drones and GPS to position diffusers
Planned anchorage of equipment on site
Use of VFDs to reduce energy costs

Results

Monthly water samples are collected by the town, and tested for BOD, TSS, and DO. Samples are collected at the inlet of the anaerobic cells, the anaerobic cell outlet/ facultative inlet, the facultative outlet, and the storage cell. Test results have shown a significant decrease in BOD and TSS levels within the faculative cell, compared to unaerated data.
Sampling will continue on a monthly basis and Pond Pro and the town will continue to closely monitor the system.