CHALLENGE

In the spring of 2010, all four of the pumps failed at the Region of Halton’s Mid-Block pumping station in Milton, a station that was critical to pumping wastewater from Milton to the Mid-Halton WWTP. It was a bizarre situation that left the Region scrambling to minimize the impact to the environment.

As background, the Region of Halton operates close to 100 wastewater pumping stations to service the Milton, Halton Hills, Burlington, and Oakville drainage areas. The stations are essential in ensuring the wastewater from residential, commercial and industrial areas makes its way to the Region's seven wastewater treatment plants.

The pumping stations vary in size and complexity depending on the volume they’re required to handle and the role they play in the critical path to the WWTP. Unfortunately, grit and rags in the wastewater collect in these stations, which require regular cleaning to ensure their ongoing operation. It’s likely that debris in the wastewater was responsible for the pump failure.

SOLUTION

Wessuc responded to a call at 4 a.m. for a vacuum truck, pumps, transport trucks and associated manpower to manage the bypass volume of the Mid-Block pumping station.

We provided a 24/7 service over a five-day period, hauling 24,000 m3 of wastewater from the station. Ten transport units and four pumps were used to move the material.

After the initial response and service, Wessuc's equipment remained on standby for a week while temporary pumping maintained the flows at the station. It took another two weeks for the station's pumps to be repaired and put into regular operation.

RESULTS

Because of Wessuc’s prompt and comprehensive service, the Region was able to maintain the levels at the station and prevent a costly and environmentally damaging bypass into the nearby creek during the initial crisis. Our standby presence gave the Region peace of mind that if the temporary pumps went down, we’d be able to avert a second potential incident.