EPCOR s Source Water Protection Plan for the North Saskatchewan River New Challenges and Directions

Transcription

1 EPCOR s Source Water Protection Plan for the North Saskatchewan River New Challenges and Directions Mike Christensen, M.Sc., P.Biol., Steve Craik, Ph. D., P. Eng. Steph Neufeld, M. Sc. EPCOR Water Canada PFSRB Annual Conference 1 October 19, 2017

2 Outline EPCOR s Source Water Protection Plan Recent variability/changes in water quality Hydrocarbon spill mitigation Water quantity and climate change Upstream river water quality monitoring program 2

3 EPCOR s Operations EPCOR builds, owns and operates water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems and infrastructure in Canada and the United States 3

4 Water/Wastewater Plants in Edmonton Capital Region WWTP Gold Bar WWTP Rossdale WTP E.L. Smith WTP 4

5 North Saskatchewan Watershed in Alberta Major Features 1.2 million people 20 counties 2 hydro-electric EPCOR builds reservoirs 3 coal fired power plants Large petrochemical sector Large agricultural sector Forestry 12 Sub-basins 5 Source: NSWA 2012

6 EPCOR s Watershed Protection Plan Goals To ensure clean and adequate water supplies for all water treatment plants that EPCOR operates through a watershed approach To ensure minimal effects of operations on water quality and aquatic ecosystem health to receiving water bodies 6

7 Overview of Source Water Protection There are multiple, competing land and water planning and research initiatives in Alberta s watersheds including Source Water Protection Planning Integration within these frameworks is the most effective way to ensure source water objectives are achieved EPCOR Water integrates through its adaptive Watershed Protection Program Source Water Protection Planning is now mandated in Alberta for all drinking water systems as part of Drinking Water Safety Plans 7

8 EPCOR s Approach Watershed Management Working in partnership to set objectives and targets for the watershed, water quality, and quantity and develop water policies that influence management. Research and Monitoring gathering scientific data on water quality and quantity fostering collaborative long-term monitoring programs evaluating source waters and effluent impacts participating in research partnerships. Implementation Supporting programs and organizations that implement programs to reduce contaminants entering source waters and ensure healthy aquatic environments and watersheds. Education and Awareness Educating and informing industry, stakeholders, and the public of the importance of watershed protection and best management practices through strategic partnerships 8

9 Colour (TCU) High Colour Event: A New Normal? 160 Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Colour exceeded 200 TCU and remained elevated until December Highest colour observed in 30 years Will start chemical characterization of colour 9

10 Early Spring Melt: A New Normal? Early melt 10

11 Research and Monitoring: Land Use Huffington Post July 23, 2016 Pipelines ² 2015 Data Status Abandoned Discontinued Financial Post Operational July 25, 2016 Planned Removed Scale cm = 20 km Kilometers 40 CBC August 2, 2016 CBC November 2, 2016

12 Pipelines Upstream of Edmonton ² 2015 Data Status Abandoned Discontinued Operational Planned Removed Scale 1 cm = 20 km Kilometers Data Sources: Government of Alberta Alberta Energy Regulator

13 Spill Mitigation Research Further understanding what products could enter the river, and where Evaluation of alternative drinking water supplies for emergencies Research into the treatability of hydrocarbon contaminated water using existing treatment plants Exploration of new technologies for water treatment plant long-term plan 13

14 Water Supply Research ~2% of annual flow from glaciers 50% of annual flow to Sask - PPWB (1969) Water supply to the Capital Region: ~90% comes from 14 4 upper sub-basins Source: Golder 2008

15 Average Monthly Flow (cms) Pre- and Post-Dam Flows in NSR Glacial melt: 2% Two dams regulating flow in watershed Allocations: 26% Consumptive use: 3% Post Dam Pre Dam Brazeau built in 1961 Bighorn built in Bighorn dam reservoir 1,418,208 dam 3. Abraham Lake Brazeau reservoir 485,382 dam Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Crescent Falls - Bighorn Canyon 15

16 Percent of Flows Withdrawn for Water Treatment How much water would Edmonton use? Based on average weekly use ( ) Nauralized flow Regulated Flow 0 Week 16

17 Annual Flow (m 3 /s) 1,000 Year History of Water Supply in the NSR Work by Dave Sauchyn and PARC 10,000 Maximum Average Minimum 1, Crescent Falls - Bighorn Canyon

18 Percent of Flows Withdrawn for Water Treatment Worst Week Every Year in 1,000 year History Week 18

19 River Water Quality Monitoring Program Gaps in existing and historical monitoring programs (LTRN, Synoptic, EC) Past and existing programs are not sustained or are limited in scope Funding is limited Need comprehensive, sustainable, basin wide, program to link land use to water quality 19

20 NSWA 2012 IWMP Goal 1: Water quality in the NSR is maintained or improved Watershed Management Direction 1.3: Develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated monitoring and evaluation program for water quality of the mainstem and tributaries of the NSR, and for point and non-point pollution sources. Action Government of Alberta to implement a comprehensive long-term, water-quality monitoring program for the NSR, ensuring adequate funding arrangements are in place and providing a database readily accessible to all stakeholders. 20

21 Proposed Monitoring Program: From Headwaters to the Sask. Border Source: NSWA

22 Key Program Characteristics Science-based Mass balance approach Determination of fluxes and parameter loading Linkage to land use Base flow sampling Event-based sampling (spring run-off, rain events) 22

23 Tributary Monitoring Up to 22 possible tributaries identified 14 high priority Redwater River Sturgeon River Vermillion River Brazeau River Nordegg River Baptiste River Tomahawk Creek Mishow Creek Rose Creek Wabamun Creek Wedgewood C. Modeste Creek Strawberry C. WeedConjuring Creek Creek ² Whitemud Creek Horsehills Creek Gold Bar Creek Mill Creek Bighorn River Ram River Clearwater River Data Source: Government of Alberta Kilometers

24 River Main Stem Monitoring Up to 25 Possible Locations Enhancement of LTRN sites Waskatenau Vinca Bridge Pakan (LTRN) Fort Sask Rail Tressle Fort Sask Bridge U/S Capital Region WWTP U/S Gold Bar WWTP Rundle Park Rossdale EL Smith Duvernay Elk Point Lea Park Border (PPWB) Drayton Valley Genesse Devon (LTRN) U/S Brazeau U/S Baptiste ² Saunders Ancona Below Bighorn D/S Rocky Mountain House Rocky Mountain House (LTRN) Whirlpool Point Kilometers Data Source: Government of Alberta 24

25 Proposed Parameters to Monitor Broad spectrum of parameters: Physical, Nutrients, Major Ions Bacteria (coliform) Parasites (Cryptosporidium, Giardia) Metals (total and dissolved) Trace organic compounds priority pollutants Grab samples and continuous monitoring Flow monitoring 25

26 NSR Monitoring Program Will Support Modelling Efforts CoE Edmonton Monitoring Program and River for Life Strategy CRIH Cumulative Effectives Management Framework EPCOR Source Water Protection Plan North Saskatchewan Regional Plan 26

27 Multi-Stakeholder Project Steering Committee EPCOR Water Funding Source Water Protection CoE Sust. & Env. CoE Interests NSWA Governance Communication EPCOR Drainage EMP AEP MSRD Scientific Design Execution 27 AEP Operations GoA Policy

28 Program Funding $1 Million per year funding from EPCOR City of Edmonton water rate payers Special watershed monitoring rate surcharge < 15 cents per monthly residential bill Four years funding ( ) with possible renewal Additional in-kind resources provided by AEP Monitoring and Science Division 28

29 Next Steps Nov 2017 Dec 2017 Feb 2018 Annual Early 2021 Early 2021 Complete detailed monitoring plan Set-up financial arrangements Begin monitoring Short activity reports to stakeholders Program summary results report Application for next phase funding 29

30 Questions? 30