2012

Research in water management and supply within the City of Calgary.

Assignment 2 Environmental Management 101
This study will explore various water management methods used by the City of Calgary (municipal government) and its citizens in order to ensure high standards of public health, safety and a sufficient water supply that can meet the demand of a growing population.

(The City of Calgary, 2012)

Cindy Christensen Harvard Summer School Professor George Buckley 2012/07/18

1. Introduction to the water supply for the city of Calgary

The Bow River Water supply to northern community of Calgary The water supply from the Bow River is collected then transferred to Bearspaw water treatment plant; the water is then treated and distributed across the northern community of Calgary. The Bow River is located mostly within the province of Alberta. It stretches from the Rocky Mountains and continues to flow through Nelson River and eventually into the Hudsons Bay (The City of Calgary, 2012). Protecting the ecosystems of the Bow River is an extremely crucial task because the Bow River is one of Calgarys most notable geographic landmarks. The Elbow River Water supply to southern community of Calgary The water supply from the Elbow River is collected then transferred to the Glenmore water treatment plant, which then is distributed across the southern community of Calgary. There is an interconnected diameter in which brings the water supply from both rivers together to ensure that there is a reliable water supply 24/7, 365 days a year to meet the demands of the citizens of Calgary. The water demand and withdrawal rate is limited by the rules and regulations from Alberta Environment. Although a large amount of water is removed from the Bow River and Elbow River every day, most of the water supply is returned after being carefully treated by the waste water treatment plans such as that of the Fish Creek plant, which was built in 1996 (The City of Calgary, 2012).

2. Pre-treatment and water filtration processes used to ensure high standards of public health and safety The City of Calgary (municipal government) supplies clean, safe, drinking water to homeowners, businesses, and industry(The City of Calgary, 2012). Water supply from the Bow River and Elbow River is treated by a large network of complex reservoirs, pumping stations and underground piping system prior to being supplied to the homes and offices of numerous citizens (The City of Calgary, 2012). Water supply is drawn into a reservoir then by using gravity; water is then directed into several intake pipes. Large floating objects and harmful solid materials are then removed with a coarse screen barrier. The water is then treated by being generated by low-lift (low pressure) pumps (The City of Calgary, 2012). Once the water enters the water treatment plan, chlorine solution is added into the water to kill bacteria, viruses and microorganisms that are harmful to human health. More chlorine is then added to oxidize other contaminants and to easily remove more harmful toxins. The water is then pre-treated by using a chemical called coagulant. By adding this chemical, the electrical charge on particles found within the water will destabilize. Water and chemical solution will continue to mix until particles are bundle together; this process is called flocculation (The City of Calgary, 2012). Once the water and chemical solution has been mixed thoroughly, the liquid then flows into a sedimentation basin where heavy groups of particles sink to the bottom. Once heavy particles have settled into the bottom, they go through a rigorous process of filtration. A second dose of chlorine is added for quality assurance purposes and to properly ensure public safety and health
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standards. Water will then be transported through various storage reservoirs and pump stations. Finally various connecting water mains will then deliver water supply to customers taps and fire hydrants (The City of Calgary, 2012). 3. Quality of public water is rated as hard The water quality in Calgary is considered hard because there is a high amount of calcium and magnesium which comes from the limestone and other rock minerals that have dissolved into the water supply. There are no health issues in related to water hardness. However, the only negative drawbacks related to water hardness is that this water can build up over time and block heaters and household plumbing. Therefore, regular inspections of plumbing system are needed in order to avoid a leak, flood or water overflow.

Hardness rating

Concentration of Calcium Carbonate (mg/L)

Concentration of Calcium Carbonate (grains/imperial gallon)

Soft

0 to <75

0 to <5.2

Medium hard

75 to <150

5.2 to <10.5

Hard

150 to <300

10.5 to <21

Very hard

300 and greater

21 and greater

Figure 1: Hard Water Rating Scale. (The City of Calgary, 2012)

Water hardness can also affect dishwashers and washing machines by leaving an unwanted film on dishes and residue on clothing. Detergent can also be less effective when combined with hard water; the best solution is to increase the amount of detergent in proportion to hard water being use. According to Ecowater, hard water is present in more than 64% of homes in Canada(Ecowater, 2012). There are several ways to soften water, such as by using water softeners. These water softeners system can be purchase at various stores across Canada. The many benefits of using a water softener system include: Laundry is whiter and brighter- while using up to 50% less detergent, reduces red, itchy, dry skin, and reduces build ups and most importantly energy consumption (Ecowater, 2012). Water softeners should not pose any health risks; however, it could be harmful for individuals who are on a salt reduced diet. According to the City of Calgary, the public drinking water is tested annually approximately 112,000 times. The testing facilities maintain ISO 17025 accreditation status through the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc. The City tests approximately 150 parameters where they sample and analyse water quality to ensure public health safety. Through tremendous innovative efforts in water testing, Calgary continues to meet and exceed all federal and provincial health standards and guidelines. Calgary also consistently provides its citizens with a clean, reliable and safe drinking water that is of higher quality than anywhere else in Canada (The City of Calgary, 2012). 4. Protecting our natural resources and water supply Calgary has very high water quality mainly because of its geographic location. The City is located near the Rocky Mountains which mean that most of its water supply from the Bow River as well as the Elbow River is mountain fresh. Since most of the water supply from the rivers are

used then recycled back into the river, it is important for the City of Calgary to take strategic steps to protect their natural resources and to share the high water quality with its citizens and local neighbours in the surrounding cities.

According to Alberta Environment reports that 80 per cent of the available water supply lies in the northern half of our province, while 80 percent of the demand exists in the south (The City of Calgary, 2012). Despite the fact that the city of Calgary sits on a strategic location to receive an abundant amount of fresh water, it is the communitys responsibility to support environmental initiatives to preserve and protect their natural resources and water supply. The City of Calgary has employed various ways to protect its water supply by sending solids and waste filtered by water treatment plants into landfills instead of back into the rivers itself. Innovative technology such as by using an ultra-modern filtration system and ultraviolet disinfection process to treat wastewater at various plants including the most innovative Pine Creek Wastewater Plant ensure that the recycled water supply will enter back into the river without any contamination. The City of Calgary also has erosion and sediment control monitoring groups to reduce sediment from entering waterways through stormwater system. The monitor group educates and trains construction and development industry to use their best practices to ensure public safety as well as to be environmentally conscious towards proper erosion and sediment control. 5. Major threats to the water supply There are several environmental threats that continue to pose as health risks to the communitys water supply. The goal of the government and citizens is to refrain these risks from happening in order to avoid detrimental health impacts as well as costly repairs. Major risks such as high
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pollution levels can decrease the quality of drinking water and increase the expenses involved in treating and filtering water supply. Ecological disasters and contamination of drinking water can impose serious health emergencies. Actions such as over-exploitation, pollution, fragmentation, destruction or degradation of habitat, and invasion by non-native species can lead to irreplaceable damages to the rivers (Cambridge Philosophical Society, 2005). Since rivers provide an important ecosystem environment, healthy and sustainable fisheries, high quality freshwater for public use, and water supply for various industries such as agriculture and industrial, it is extremely important to protect our water supply and properly managed environmental threats in order to preserve the delicate balanced ecosystem within our rivers. By protecting our rivers, we would have adequate, clean and safe water supply to meet the growing demands of the city for generations to come. 6. Ways for citizens to protect their public water supply There are several ways that the City of Calgary and its citizens can protect their water supply. Citizens should avoid contaminating pesticide or any other toxins with their home water supply by never placing the end of their garden hose too close to a source of contaminant. Citizens should also follow laws and regulations ethics established by government in order to prevent a water contamination disaster. According to Water Matters Society of Alberta, there is a need for a strong collaboration between policy makers, scientific community as well as the citizens themselves in order to protect the natural beauty, ecological habitat and essential water supply from the rivers ecosystems. According to the Societys report, a recommendation for a scientific monitoring program where the changes within the river ecosystem are properly assessed and dealt with at various locations along the stream of the Bow River as well as the Elbow River. Sampling

programs can also be created in order to detect any significant changes in biodiversity and water supply (Water Matter Society of Alberta, 2012). By preserving a healthy aquatic system and clean source of fresh drinking water, the citizens of Calgary will be able to meet the economic, social and environmental needs of the community now and well into the future as the population of Calgary continue to rise.

References: Cover Page: The City of Calgary. (2012). The City of Calgary: Cause of Boil Water Advisory in the Northwest Calgary Determined. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from The City of Calgary: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_9zROP9tMjc/T_ShdOVsoI/AAAAAAAAAso/g4dU0qci64A/s320/070412_water.jpg 1. The City of Calgary. (2012). The City of Calgary: Calgarys Water Supply. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from The City of Calgary: http://www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Pages/Water-and-wastewater-systems/Watertreatment/Water-supply.aspx 2. The City of Calgary. (2012). The City of Calgary: From the River to the Tap. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from The City of Calgary: http://www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Documents/WaterDocuments/river_to_tap_brochure.pdf 3. Ecowater. (2012). Ecowater: Water Treatment your Whole Family will benefit from. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from Ecowater: http://ecowater.ca/en/index.php The City of Calgary. (2012). The City of Calgary: Water Efficiency Plan. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from The City of Calgary: http://www.calgary.ca/_layouts/cocis/DirectDownload.aspx?target=http%3A%2F%2Fw ww.calgary.ca%2FUEP%2FWater%2FDocuments%2FWaterDocuments%2Fwater_efficiency_plan.pdf&noredirect=1&sf=1 The City of Calgary. (2012). The City of Calgary: Drinking Water. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from The City of Calgary: http://www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Pages/Drinkingwater/Drinking-Water.aspx#quality 4. The City of Calgary. (2011). The City of Calgary: 2011 Water Report, 3, 5-7. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from The City of Calgary: http://www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Documents/WaterDocuments/2011_Water_Report.pdf Cambridge Philosophical Society. (2005). Dudgeon, David: Freshwater biodiversity: importance, threats, status and conservation challenges, 163-164. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from Cambridge Philosophical Society: http://homepages.eawag.ch/~gessner/PDF/Dudgeon.pdf 5. City of Calgary. (2012). The City of Calgary: Protect Your Drinking Water, 1-2. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from The City of Calgary: http://www.calgary.ca/_layouts/cocis/DirectDownload.aspx?target=http%3A%2F%2Fw ww.calgary.ca%2FUEP%2FWater%2FDocuments%2FWaterDocuments%2Fcross_connections_brochures_residential.pdf&noredirect=1&sf=1
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6. Water Matters Society of Alberta. (2012). Water Matters Society of Alberta: Sharing Our Rivers: How Albertans Can Maintain Healthy Rivers, Communities and Economies, 1-3, 10-11. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from Water Matters Society of Alberta: http://www.watermatters.org/docs/sharingourrivers.pdfhttp://www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Documents/Wat er-Documents/2011_Water_Report.pdf