The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is set to enhance its sewage systems by acquiring two new generators. This initiative aims to prevent service interruptions caused by power outages.
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, several 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 these purchases are a direct response to the increasing frequency of severe weather events linked to climate change. “Last July, we experienced significant rainstorms that greatly affected our wastewater systems. We are seeing more frequent and prolonged power outages,” he explained.
While Pace emphasized the growing importance of backup power, he acknowledged the challenges involved in acquiring these generators. “Ideally, we would like every pump station to have emergency backup power. However, this is not always feasible due to location constraints and high installation costs,” he noted.
Adam Yang, a civil engineering professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, described backup power as essential for wastewater systems. He pointed out that pumping stations are particularly vulnerable during power outages, as they rely on electricity to transport raw sewage to treatment facilities. “Power failures can lead to overflows into streams or potentially pollute nearby soil,” Yang warned.
He added that a rising population is already putting pressure on wastewater systems, and climate change exacerbates the challenges of managing wastewater during blackouts.
Pace explained that the municipality has included the cost of the two generators in its five-year capital budget due to the significant expense involved. The fixed generator will cost $83,088, not including installation, while the portable generator is priced at $83,900.
Other municipalities face even higher costs. Fred Whynot, the director of public works for the Municipality of Chester, indicated 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, expressed the need for ongoing funding from higher levels of government to maintain and upgrade infrastructure. “It is essential to secure continual provincial and federal funding for these efforts,” he stated.
Currently, East Hants does not have any fixed generators and relies on six portable units to support its 28 pumping stations.
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