Blog Posts
News Release – ETC to receive investment funding to commercialize Septic Sitter
For Immediate Release: March 31, 2015 Stratford, Prince Edward Island Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) is pleased to announce that our product division, Dynamic Monitors, will receive a financial investment from Innovation PEI to help commercialize our patented Septic SitterTM system. ETC is one of five companies selected to receive funding through Innovation PEI’s Development and Commercialization Fund. Recipients were chosen from a pool of over twenty applicants through a competitive, peer review process. “It is indeed an honour to have been selected to receive this financial support by an independent peer review committee made up of leaders from the private sector, academia and government” says ETC President, Kelly Galloway, P.Eng. “It is a real vote of confidence, in the business opportunity and our company”. Companies will receive up to $100,000 which must be matched dollar for dollar. Dynamic Monitors designs and develops innovative electronic devices which make on-site sewage systems more sustainable, effective and affordable. The Septic Sitter is an internet-connected monitor and early warning alert system for septic drainfields and tanks. Approximately 30 million homes in North America use onsite sewage treatment (aka septic) systems as opposed to centralized sewage collection and treatment. It is estimated that 40%
ETC solves sewage challenge for owner of Burnside Community Care Home
Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) was retained by Hartshire Holdings to design a state-of-the-art, cost effective and green onsite sewage system for the Burnside Community Care Home in Clyde River, PEI. The new Burnside Community Care Facility in Clyde River, PEI The new 40 bed community care home features both single and double-bed rooms. The building has three levels, wheelchair accessible showers, dining room, community room, a chapel, beauty salon, activity room and two lounges. The beautifully landscaped grounds will feature a courtyard, screened-in deck, veranda, walking trail and a garden. Onsite Challenge However, being located in a rural area meant that the facility could not simply be connected to a city sewer system; it would need to have its own onsite sewage treatment system. Alan MacPhee was initially “hopeful but a little bit concerned about that”. Then he got some disappointing news – “The first engineering opinion we got was quite discouraging” says MacPhee. “We were told that the (soil) conditions were not suitable and that was the end of the story”. Concerned, but still hopeful, MacPhee wasn’t prepared yet to give up on his dream to build on the beautiful rural site. Soil conditions at the site consisted
Redox or Not?
The dominant surficial geology in my region of Prince Edward Island, Canada is glacial till soil, rich in iron, so our mineral soil horizons are typically very reddish-brown in colour. This can make it hard to detect redoximorphic features in the soil profile. Where the soil is seasonally saturated, often all we get for redox are alternating duller and darker shades of red-brown. I am not a soil scientist, I am a civil engineer who practices in the area of on-site sewage treatment and disposal. So over the years, I have had to fill in the gaps in my soil science knowledge through independent study, short courses, and asking questions from soil science professionals when I have the opportunity. I thought I would reach out to some of my LinkedIn groups to see if you might be able to provide some insight on what I am seeing in the following photographs of a soil test pit I recently examined. Note: The photos are of the same area in the test pit. The only difference is that for one I had the flash on (truer to the natural colours) and for the other I did not. The land at this site sloped
Alternative Sewers: A Good Option for Many Communities
Note: The following article was excerpted from Pipeline, published by National Small Flows Clearinghouse. For an example of how alternative sewers were used to provide a cost effective solution for one rural Maritime community, read ETC’s Project Profile of the award winning, Victoria Water and Wastewater Project. Those who are fortunate enough to own a home in a small or rural community probably appreciate certain aspects of country living. Being close to nature and far from the noise and complications of life in the city are among the popular reasons for choosing a home in a rural area. Although the advantages are many, rural life isn’t always simpler than big city life. One example is the problem of how best to collect, treat and dispose of wastewater from all the homes and businesses located in different parts of the community. A variety of factors help determine which wastewater technologies are best suited for a particular home or area. Often, communities will use a combination of different approaches for different circumstances to save money, control development, and protect public health and the environment. For example, in densely populated areas, like the business section of town, a community may find that a
Victoria Water & Wastewater Project – Village of Victoria, PE
3 Minute long video overview of the project: (Photo credit: Ron Garnett, AirScapes.ca) The Village of Victoria, PE is a quaint, rural village and picturesque tourist destination with many period buildings, artisans, restaurants and a bustling waterfront. Residential lots were subdivided in the mid 1800s and most are not large enough to accommodate modern septic systems. Sewage flows from many commercial establishments greatly exceeded the on-site sewage disposal capacity, requiring expensive pump-outs. New residential and commercial development was on hold until the Village solved its septic problems. Public health, the environment, and property values were threatened if a viable solution was not found. The Community of Victoria retained Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) to investigate conventional and alternative waste-water management options, and in 2005, to design and oversee the implementation of a new central sewage collection and treatment system. Project Objectives Orenco Advantex treatment modules being installed. • To find a solution to the sanitation problems in the core area of the Village due to failing septic systems and expensive holding tanks. • To provide affordable (life cycle basis), sustainable and effective wastewater management which would allow the Community to grow and develop. • To eliminate the direct discharge to
Villa Sur Plage Condominiums – Robichaud, NB
Villa_Sur_Plage View the PDF version here. Villa Sur Plage Condominiums Robichaud, New Brunswick Client: Les Entreprises Mapoma Ltée Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) designed the first private cluster sewage system in New Brunswick to be managed by a condominium corporation. The system includes: Alternative Collection System – Septic Tank Effluent Gravity Sewer ● Innovative Sewage Treatment System – Recirculating Textile Packed-bed Filter. ● 100 mm HDDE Outfall to Northumberland Strait
The Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park – Hopewell Cape, NB
Hopewell_Rocks On the rugged coast of Southern New Brunswick overlooking the Bay of Fundy, the majestic Hopewell Rocks attract more than 200,000 visitors annually. They come to stand in awe of the towering rock formations created by the natural forces of erosion and the highest tides in the world. A new Tidal Exploration Centre had been built with an Interpretive Centre, a 120 seat full service restaurant and public washroom facilities for the over 4000 people per day who visit the site. However, when the new Centre opened in the Summer of 1998, an acceptable means of managing wastewater had still not been found and Park operators had to truck thousands of gallons of sewage off the site every day. Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) was retained to find an appropriate and affordable wastewater management solution that would be acceptable to Provincial regulators. Criteria for the on-site sewage system were as follows: Zero discharge of effluent to the Bay of Fundy;● Minimize impact on the site, no additional tree clearing;● Should not require highly skilled operators;● Modular, easy to expand ETC recommended and designed a Recirculating Sand Filter (RSF) to treat the wastewater to advanced secondary levels. Fractional horsepower effluent
Engineered Septic System Elementary School – Donagh, PE
Donagh_School Engineered Septic System Elementary School, Donagh, PEI Client: PEI Dept. Transportation and Public Works Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) has developed and refined a state-of-the-art, pressurized HDPE Leaching Chamber septic system design. Each system is customized to suit the specific soil, rock, groundwater conditions and topography so that it blends into the existing landscape. The ease with which the system can be expanded is made possible through the use of an innovative Distributing Valve first introduced to the Maritimes by ETC engineers. Inspection and Maintenance Ports ensure the system is easy to monitor and maintain. This system has provided cost effective on-site sewage treatment and disposal for numerous commercial, recreational and institutional developments such as this new school in Donagh,PEI.
Brudenell Fairway Chalets – Roseneath, PE
Brudenell-Fairway The Brudenell Fairway Chalets are located in Roseneath, Prince Edward Island. This rural development provides some of the most beautiful lodgings on PEI and required a practical, low maintenance and cost effective sewer servicing solution. The wastewater collection and treatment system is composed of three components: a septic tank effluent gravity (STEG) sewer, a mainline effluent pumping station and a pressurized HDPE leaching chamber disposal field. The most significant feature of the effluent sewer is that septic tanks provide primary treatment upstream of each connection. The effluent sewer was less expensive, easier to install and is less prone to infiltration than conventional sewers. The collection sewer drains into an effluent pumping station. Septic tank effluent is pressure dosed to an HDPE InfiltratorTM Leaching Chamber Disposal Field centrally located in a recreational area. The disposal field was designed as three separate zones. Each zone is dosed intermittently and sequentially using a mechanical distributing value.This innovative value also makes it easy to expand the disposal field in the future by installing additional zones.
Waste Management System – Cape Jourimain Nature Centre, Bayfield, NB
A new Provincial Visitor Information Centre, an Interpretive Centre and a Restaurant have been constructed at the 675 hectare Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Area in New Brunswick. The site is open to the roughly 1.5 million people who travel to Prince Edward Island via the Confederation Bridge each year. Sand dunes, saltwater marshes, beaches and forested uplands are part of this diverse and beautiful ecosystem which is on a major migratory flight path for hundreds of bird species. Site Challenges Unfortunately, the site is also characterized by a flat topography, dense clayey, glacial till soils, and a high groundwater table. Conventional onsite sewage system approaches would have required either large scale tree clearing or a direct discharge; neither of which were suitable options for the client. Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) was assigned the challenge of designing and implementing an acceptable waste management strategy to protect this ecologically sensitive site. Waste Management Solution To significantly reduce the volume of sewage water to be managed, the Clivus Multrum™ composting system was selected to naturally treat all black toilet wastes. The high-strength, concentrated wastewater from the kitchen of the full service restaurant is treated to advanced secondary levels using the Canadian, Waterloo
York Point On-site Sewage Servicing Study – Town of Cornwall, PE
View the brochure version here. The Town of Cornwall, PEI had concluded that the cost to establish lift stations and force mains to service the southern portions of the Town was prohibitively high. As stated in their 1997 Official Plan: “The objective would be to maintain on-site sewage systems in the area for as long as possible, certainly beyond the period covered by this plan”.However, due to problems with many old inappropriately sited septic systems, the Town Planning Department was reluctant to permit any new development to proceed. The Town retained Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) to carry out an On-site Sewage Treatment and Disposal Servicing Study of the York Pointarea and Parkview Subdivision. The study involved an examination of conventional and geographic information system (GIS) maps, GIS modelling, and a comprehensive field and laboratory testing program which assessed the subsurface soils, bedrock and groundwater conditions within the 96 hectare (240 acre) study area. Thematic maps were produced which graphically depicted the subsurface conditions for each parameter. The data collected during the field program was then analyzed in combination with existing provincial GIS database layers to determine an overall potential degree of limitation rating (none, slight, moderate, severe, unsuitable) with
On-site Wastewater Viability Study – Town of Stratford, PE
View the brochure here. Considering its relatively short history, the Town of Stratford (Incorporated 1996) has been quick to tackle their environmental problems. This rapidly growing community had been experiencing problems with bacterial contamination of wells and failing septic systems.Consequently, groundwater quality, public health, and property values were being negatively impacted. The Town had already established several proactive policies to address these problems caused by small lot sizes, shallow fractured bedrock and slowly permeable, glacial till soil. However, the Town faced continuing pressure to extend the centrally serviced area. The Town of Stratford retained Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) to conduct an On-Site Wastewater Viability Study for the portion of the Town lying outside the centrally serviced area. Going Beyond the Usual Maps and Data ETC prepared a Community Profile, which incorporated the Town’s land use, population trends, sewers, on-site systems, and environmentally sensitive areas. This document provided background information on existing conditions in the Town relevant to the goal of developing a sustainable and cost effective plan for wastewater management. ETC collected, combined and analyzed data sets from a wide range of sources. Stratford had in-house GIS data on its land parcels. Other information such as wetlands, rivers and
Residential Septic Systems
View the brochure here. THREE BEDROOM HOME, GLENWOOD POND, PE Client: Myrna Boulter Contractor: Rodney Costain Project Objectives: ● To design a septic system that would overcome significant property challenges including high water table, limited space, wetlands and a pond located on the property. System Overview: ● Category 3 conditions with high water table and heavy clayey soil. ● Tankage consisted of a 4092 L (900 Igal) septic tank and a 2955 L (650 Igal) pump tank. ● Anti-flotation ballast was utilized to counteract uplift forces on tanks. ● Pressurized septic field consisting of four lines of InfiltratorTM chambers, each 28.5 m (93′) long for a total of 114 linear meters of trench. ● A total of 90 cm of Approved Fill was used. ● Permits were received for this extremely difficult lot with very tight set backs to the property lines and wetlands. LUXURY FIVE BEDROOM HOME, MILL RIVER EAST, PE Client: Allan and Colleen Parker Contractor: O’Meara’s Heavy Equipment Project Objectives: ● To design and oversee the construction of a septic system to service a new five bedroom luxury home that would blend in with the site landscaping. ● To provide adequate capacity to accommodate periodic peak flows
Residential Advanced Sewage System
View the brochure here. On the shores of St. Peter’s Bay you will find this private seaside retreat designed by acclaimed Architect,Thomas Moore. The previous failed septic system was located in an area with a high water table. ETC was retained to design an environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing system that could overcome the site limitations and accommodate a five bedroom cottage. Client: Thomas & Debbie Moore Contractor: G&P Trucking and Construction System Overview ●Category 3 lot with high water table. ●An advanced treatment system (Waterloo Biolfilter) treats septic tank effluent to advanced secondary levels before it is dispersed into an area bed constructed with imported sand fill. ●Tankage consisted of 2200 Igal septic tank and wet well pumping station. ●The dispersal bed was located in a clearing in the woods approximately 128 m (400ft) upgrade from the pump tank. ●A total of 30 cm of Good Quality Fill was specified and 50 cm of Approved Imported Sand under the Waterloo Biofilter shed. Client Testimonial “The new sewage system rescued the long term use and potential redevelopment for a 5 bedroom cottage on the site, a major benefit to the real estate value of the property.” “Pumping to a remote
Long Term Water & Wastewater Servicing Study – Community of North Shore, PE
View the brochure here. The Community of North Shore (Incorporated 1974) was struggling to deal with reports of growing water quality problems in the Stanhope Peninsula area caused by coliform and e-coli bacteria and salt water intrusion. There were many residents who believed that a central water system was urgently needed. However, there were at least as many who believed the problems to be few and far between. The Stanhope Peninsula had been the subject of previous engineering studies by others. However, in 2009, North Shore Council decided that a more comprehensive study of the water and wastewater needs of the whole community was required. Following a competitive RFP process, Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) was awarded the contract to conduct a Long -Term Water and Wastewater Servicing Study. Public Consultation KeyETC prepared a Community Profile, which provides background informationon existing conditions relevant to the goal of developing a sustainable andcost effective plan for water and wastewater management within the Community.Public consultation and involvement was key throughout the process.Early on, ETC conducted a survey of all residents and property owners togather information on individual septic systems and wells. Comprehensive Water and Wastewater Needs AssessmentETC collected, combined and analyzed data
Video of Award Winning Project Released
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has published a video of ETC’s award winning “Victoria Water and Wastewater Pilot Project”. The Community of Victoria in PEI and ETC were jointly awarded the 2011 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Sustainable Communities Award in the Water Category. You can read about the project, and view the video here (link dead).
ETC President receives award
Kelly Galloway, P.Eng. was pleased to accept the 2009 Engineers PEI Award of “Engineering Achievement” on the behalf of Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd for the Victoria Water & Waste Water Project. Engineers PEI Website Engineers PEI Newsletter has some pics of the awards banquet on pages 7, 8 and 9. PDF version from Engineers PEI website (link dead)