The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is purchasing two generators for its sewage systems to prevent service interruptions caused by blackouts.
The first generator will be installed at a pump station in the Osprey Village development area, located just outside Bridgewater, N.S. This fixed generator is expected to be operational by next year. Additionally, smaller collection stations in Cookville, Conquerall Bank, and New Germany will share a portable generator.
Stephen Pace, the municipality’s director of engineering and public works, stated that the generators are a response to severe weather events linked to climate change. “Last July, we experienced major rainstorms that significantly impacted our wastewater systems. We are noticing more frequent and longer power outages,” he said.
Pace acknowledged the importance of backup power but noted the challenges in acquiring these generators. “Ideally, we would like every pump station to have emergency backup power, but that is not always feasible due to location, available land, and the costs involved,” he explained.
Backup Power Considered ‘Essential’
Adam Yang, a civil engineering professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, emphasized that backup power is a crucial part of wastewater systems. He explained that pumping stations, which transport raw sewage to treatment facilities using electricity, are particularly vulnerable during power outages. “Wastewater can overflow into streams or potentially contaminate nearby soil,” Yang warned.
Yang also highlighted that a growing population is already putting pressure on wastewater systems, and climate change complicates the management of these systems during outages.
Generators Represent Significant Costs
Pace mentioned that the municipality has included the two generators in its five-year capital budget due to their high costs. The fixed generator will cost $83,088, plus installation, while the portable generator will cost $83,900.
Costs for generators can escalate further. Fred Whynot, the director of public works for the Municipality of the District of Chester, noted that replacing one of its fixed generators next year could cost between $100,000 and $150,000.
Jesse Hulsman, director of infrastructure and operations for the Municipality of East Hants, hopes for continued funding from higher levels of government to help maintain and upgrade infrastructure. “Ongoing funding support from provincial and federal sources is essential,” he stated.
East Hants currently has no fixed generators and relies on six portable ones for its 28 pumping stations.
Space Constraints for Generators
Limited space in pumping stations can hinder a municipality’s ability to install generators. Hulsman explained that East Hants has no fixed generators partly because its pumping stations lack space for expansion, which would require acquiring adjacent land and increasing costs. “When considering an expansion plan, you need to factor in land ownership and negotiations with nearby property owners,” he said.
Portable Generators Preferred
Portable generators are often favored over fixed ones since they can be moved to the locations where they are needed during power outages. Jeff Myrick, senior manager of communications at Halifax Water, noted that 33 percent of the 166 pumps in Halifax have fixed generators, while the remaining pumps rely on 13 portable generators on trailers.
However, extreme weather can make it dangerous for staff to transport portable generators to pumping stations during power outages. “Our top priority is the safety of our staff and the public. If conditions are unsafe for access, we will not deploy equipment until it is safe to do so,” said Myrick.
Related Topics
