Waste wins

The Glenwood/Appleton wastewater treatment plant has been recognized for its positive environmental impact by the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEG NL).

The local plant was one of five nominees up for the award, which although is offered every year, isn't necessarily handed out every year. The Iron Ore Company of Canada last year won it last year.

"We are a professional organization representing engineers and geoscientists in the province, and we, like most professional organizations, have a series of awards that we make either to our members, or to people who fit our criteria," said Steve McLean, executive director with PEG NL. "In this particular case, it's for an environmental award, and is not necessarily given to an engineer or geoscientist, but is made to an individual or organization that has made an unusual application of technology or engineering to overcome environmental challenges."

The treatment plant that serves the communities of Glenwood and Appleton sends sludge and wastewater to sludge beds for drying. Wastewater is then sent back out to reed beds, where toxins are naturally filtered from the soil, eventually sending clean water into the Gander River.

"It improves the quality of the effluence in the Gander River, and at the same time, it's a green project in the sense that it uses very little energy," said Mr. McLean. "It basically relies on gravity and natural materials to cleanse the effluence, so you don't have to use chemicals, electricity or otherwise to take on the problem. I think that's what gave it the edge, really."

Appleton mayor, Derm Flynn, said the award is a feather in the hat of everyone involved with the project, which cost approximately $6 million and was paid for by both communities, while the provincial and federal governments provided help through its green fund.

"To be recognized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Geological Society is a real plus for us, and it's a real plus for Abydoz (the company that brought the technology over from Germany)," said Mayor Flynn. "This way of handling waste has been really effective for us. It's still a fairly new project, and it's still proving itself. We're not saying it's going to be hunky dory from here on in, but so far so good, and we're very pleased with it."

From start to finish, it took about 10 years to complete the project. When he looks back at it, Mayor Flynn said the two communities didn't really know what to expect, but now that it's won two awards, he said the site is a real blessing.

"When the towns made the decision, it was a bit of a leap of faith because it's new technology. We were concerned with the possibility of plant chill in the winter due to frost, and, of course, what the end results would be," said Mayor Flynn. "We are on the banks of the mighty Gander River, one of the top salmon-producing rivers and sports and recreation...and Gander Bay is just down the river."

While standing near one of the reed beds last week, Mayor Flynn said he's extremely optimistic about the future of the plant. Other municipalities and industrial players have contacted Mayor Flynn about the project. The Appleton mayor said environmental issues are coming to the forefront more and more, and as they continue to do so, everyone will be looking at doing things that's more environmentally friendly.

"We're very optimistic about the results down the road for this thing. It has a lifespan of 50 to 70 years, so there's lots of room for expansion and growth," said Mayor Flynn. "If there's a real growth spurt in housing in the area, we can easily add another bed. The site itself is very easy to expand, so we're absolutely delighted, and it's a sign of things to come for this type of project."

Mr. McLean said the plant has already proven itself, which is another reason why it won the award. The plant also impressed those responsible for choosing the award, so in the end, there was nothing left to do but hand out the plaque.

"I think it's a proven use of the technology, and that's an advantage as well. We don't give out awards in cases where there's a plan or concept to do something, or something's under construction. We want to see that's it a proven application," said Mr. McLean. "It impressed the award's committee, and also impressed the environment committee. There's not much more to say than we gave them the award."

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