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System
Information
 The
Cobden Water Treatment
Plant, located at 28 Bonnechere
Street, was constructed
in 1979 replacing an old
system of lower treatment
capability and capacity.
The new system features
treatment consisting of
coagulation - flocculation
using alum, sedimentation,
filtration, and chlorination.
A polymer coagulant aid
is used in conjunction
with the alum. Sedimentation
is enhanced by the use
of tube settlers and filtration
is accomplished using
two dual media Sand -
Anthracite filters. Disinfection
at the plant incorporates
both pre-chlorination
and post-chlorination
using sodium hypochlorite
solution.
Prechlorination
is carefully controlled
in order to produce water
having acceptable levels
of trihalomethanes (THMs).
THMs are a byproduct of
the chlorination of water
containing certain organic
precursors. By monitoring
our treatment efficiency,
chlorine addition and
chlorine residuals, we
can control the formation
of THMs.
Online
analyzers continuously
monitor the chlorine residual
and also the turbidity
level in the treated water
leaving the plant. These
analyzers are connected
to an alarm system, monitoring
other operations of the
plant, immediately notifying
personnel in the event
of problems.
The
Town’s distribution
system upgrades include
new water mains, and also
a 190,000 gallon elevated
water storage reservoir
constructed in 1988 to
replace an aging standpipe.
A standby power generator
was added to the plant
in 1999 ensuring continuous
operation and control
during power outages.
The
upgrades to our system
bring it into compliance
with Ministry of The Environment
minimum treatment guidelines
for waterworks using a
surface water source.
The Class III Water Treatment
Plant and Class I Distribution
System currently serves
a population of 1000.
Water
Source
The
source of water for our
treatment plant is Muskrat
Lake, a fairly large body
of water of very good
quality for treatment
purposes. The Muskrat
Lake watershed ranges
from forested land through
agricultural to urban
areas. In filling water
to the lake enters through
Muskrat River at the Southeast
end, Snake River at the
Westerly side, and a number
of underwater springs.
Flow exits the lake via
Muskrat River at the Northwesterly
end of the lake.
The
Treatment Plant intake
is six feet above the
lake bed at a depth of
forty feet, three thousand
six hundred feet in a
northerly direction from
the plant, and about two
thousand feet from shore.
This intake was an upgrade
to the system replacing
an old intake that extended
one hundred and fifty
feet from shore directly
out from the plant.
Because
of the location and depth
of the intake, raw water
quality does not change
quickly and seasonal influxes
of algae to the lake,
especially in late summer,
have minimal impact. This
makes it easier for waterworks
staff to produce a consistently
safe water having excellent
aesthetic qualities.
The
Cobden Wastewater Treatment
Plant utilizes secondary
treatment with phosphorus
removal and chlorination
of final effluent. The
outfall of the plant discharges
to a bermed marsh at the
head of Muskrat Lake.
This marsh actually serves
as a final polishing for
the effluent which therefor
has no direct impact on
our water supply. |
