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WLWB Registry
From: Johnson, Ken [[email protected] ] Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 10:39 AM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Wekweeti water licence - background report to water licence renewal Attachments: 070716 Wekweeti Water Licence background report.pdf
Please find attached background report to water licence following up on application form submitted on July 12, 2007.
Ken Johnson, M.A. Sc., M. C.I.P., P. Eng. Senior Planner and Engineer, Earth Tech Canada 17203 -103 Ave., Edmonton. Alberta T55 1J4 Tel.'780. 453.0910 Fax: 780.488.2121 Cell. 780. 984.9085
7/23/2007 Wekwe^ti, NT
Prepared for:
Tlicho Community Government of Wekweeti, NT Box 69 Wekweeti, NT, XOE IWO
Prepared by: Earth Tech Canada Inc. 17203 -- 103'd Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5S 1J4 (780) 488-6800
©Copyright Earth Tech (Canada) Inc. 2007 July 11, 2007 Information contained herein is confidential and may not be released to a third party without the written permission of Ea rth Tech (Canada) Inc. 1 00095-03 Water Licence Background Report Tlicho Community Government of Wekweeti, NT July 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION TITLE PAGE NO.
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2.0 COMMUNITY BRIEF ...... 1 3.0 INFRASTRUCTURE DESCRIPTION ...... 3 3.1 General ...... 3 3.2 Water System ...... 6 3.2.1 System Overview ...... 6 3.2.2 Snare Lake Raw Water Supply ...... 6 3.2.3 Water Treatment / Truckfill Station ...... 7 3.2.4 Water Distribution / Water Tanks ...... 7 3.3 Sanitary Sewage System ...... 3.3.1 System Overview ...... 7 3.3.2 Trucked Sewage Pump-out ...... 7 3.3.3 Lagoon Access Road and Sewage Truck Discharge Area ...... 9 3.3.4 Sewage Lagoon ...... 9 3.3.5 Effluent Discharge ...... 9 3.4 Solid Waste Disposal ...... 9 3.4.1 System Overview ...... 9 3.4.2 Solid Waste Collection and Disposal ...... 10 3.4.3 Access Roads and Perimeter Fence ...... 10 3.4.4 Landfill Site ...... 10 4.0 REVIEWS AND STUDIES - 2001 TO 2007 ...... 11 4.1 Wastewater Management Study, 2007 ...... ii 4.2 Infrastructure Baseline Study, 2006 ...... 11 4.3 Water System and Management Review, 2001 to 2006 ...... 11 5.0 OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE PLANNING ...... 1.3 5.1 Water Supply and Distribution System ...... 13 5.2 Sanitary Sewage System ...... 5.3 Landfill ...... 13 6.0 REFERENCES ...... 13
LIST OF FIGURES
Figurel Aerial Photo of the Community of Wekweeti, NWT ...... 3 Figure 2 Location of Water, Sewage and Solid Waste Systems, Wekweeti, NWT ...... 4 Figure 3 Airphoto Location of the Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Systems, Wekweeti, NWT ...... 6 Figure4 Sewage Lagoon Facility and Wetland, Wekweeti, NWT ...... 8 Figure 5 Solid Waste Landfill Site, Community of Wekweeti, NWT ...... 10
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Summary of the Brief Profile of the Hamlet of Wekweeti, NWT ...... 1 Table 2 Description Summary of the Infrastructure in the Hamlet of Wekweeti, NWT...... 5 Table 3 Summary of System Management Review Reports: Water Use, Wekweeti, NWT ... 12
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Hamlet of Wekweeti, in preparation for the application of a Type `B' water license, has engaged the services of Earth Tech Canada Inc., to prepare a background report to accompany the application. The intention of this background report is to provide an overview of the water and waste infrastructure system within the community based upon the compilation of existing information.
The scope of the report includes background information review on water supply and distribution, sewage collection and treatment, and solid waste management. This review is presented with a combination of figures to provide a complete understanding of the community's infrastructure, particularly emphasized on the visual information including maps and aerial photos. This provides the necessary flexibility to address the various stakeholders in the application process.
2.0 COMMUNITY BRIEF
Wekweeti, originating from the Dogrib language meaning "Rock Lake", was considered an outpost hunting camp until 1962, when ten houses were built and members of the Rae Band permanently relocated to the camp in order to preserve traditional lifestyles and values.
On November 1, 1998, the community officially changed its name from Snare Lakes to the Tli Cho name_ " Wekweti"; a further name change occurred on August 4, 2005 to the current spelling of Wekweeti. 1 The Hamlet of Wekweeti is now a permanent community in the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada.
Table 1 is a brief profile of the Community based on the size, terrain, climate and socio-economic characteristics of the community. An aerial photo of the community is also shown in Figure 1.
Table 1 - Summary of the Brief Profile of the Hamlet of Wekweeti, NWT
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q Population: 140 (NWT, Bureau of Statistics, 2006)
q Residences: 35 (NWT, Bureau of Statistics, 2006)
q Location: Latitude 64° 11' N and Longitude 114° 11 W
q Proximity: 195 air kilometers north of Yellowknife
q Weather: High and low mean temperatures in July: 2L5 °C and 8.9 °C High and low mean temperatures in January: -24.5 °C and -33.5°C
q Precipitation: 16,5 cm of rainfall and 133 cm of snowfall
q Vegetation: The vegetation is consistent with sub-arctic boreal forest vegetation. Within the low-lying areas thick Tamarack and Black Spruce stands predominate, both species are indicators of poorly drained soils. Jack Pine and White Spruce are extensive on the elevated, well-drained areas especially south of the airport access road and east of the community air port.
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q Transportation: Year round air access is provided from Yellowknife year round, Ice road access is available during part of the winter,
q Economy: Major activities include bunting, fishing, and local government.
q Services: Public school, Community Health Representatives and social services are available from Behchoko; and medical services are available from Behchoko. RCMP service is available from Whati, q Geology/Terrain: The Hamlet lies within the zone of discontinuous permafrost. In general, the topography consists of SE-NW linear trenching, steep sloping rock ridges with wide areas of marsh, bog, and wetlands. The ridges can range from between 40-50 meters above the surrounding terrain. South of the airport access road, the terrain is predominately sand hills and steep terraces over bedrock. The topography east of the community airport is rolling and hummocky with numerous, elongated, bedrock ridges. The settlement is situated on a raised terrace that stretches along a rocky shoreline and composed mostly of sand and coarse gravel (till). This relatively level terrace extends from the lake for 300 plus meters before ending below a series of steep bedrock ridges. Between the bedrock ridges and within low lying areas, a thick organic mat over a meter thick has formed over poorly drained sandy till, which in turn is underlain by bedrock.
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3.0 INFRASTRUCTURE DESCRIPTION
3.1 General
The infrastructure consists of water, sewer and solid waste infrastructure identified by its location to the community in Figure 2. A tabular summary of the community's infrastructure is given in Table 2.
More detailed description on the each individual infrastructure components are presented in the specific sections of this report.
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Figure 2 — Location of Water and Waste Facilities
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Table 2 - Description Summary of the Infrastructure in the Hamlet of Wekweeti, NWT
q Water System Raw water: • Intake: single inclined shaft in Snare Lake • Pumping: 6" vertical submersible centrifugal turbine pump • Pipeline: 350mm insulated HDPE intake pipe • Storage: None (water truck sits full overnight) • Building structures: truckfill station at Snare Lake Water treatment: • Pretreatment: none • Filtration: none • Chemical coagulation: none • Disinfection: powdered calcium hypochlorite • Water tanks: none Water distribution: • Distribution system: trucked delivery • Fire protection: yes • Individual water tanks for truck services: newer housing units have 2,300 liter fibre-glass water tanks; older units have 1,100 liter HDPE tanks • Water trucks: yes — one primary 8,800 liter truck, no back-up • Water truck access: driveways to each residence • Water delivery: 5 days per week • Average daily per capita water use: 95 L/c/day q Sanitary Sewage System Sewage collection: • Collection Svsteni: Truck numnout
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3.2 Water System
3.2.1 System Overview
The community's water supply system consists of Snare Lake, a truckfill station, the water distribution delivery service, and water tanks within each residence. Water is pumped directly from Snare Lake to the truckfill station and chlorinated as the water truck is filled.
The community is responsible for operating the water supply system. This includes addition of chlorine, daily sampling for chlorine residual, water quality sampling, and trucked water delive ry . The operation and maintenance responsibilities are being handled by Johnny Arrowmaker who is Small System certified operator.
3.2.2 Snare Lake Raw Water Supply
Snare Lake is included in the Yellowknife and Northeast Great Slave Lake Sub-watershed. The area for the community water supply system is in the northern portion of the sub-watershed. The raw water supply is considered surface water, and its quality is good. Estimated annual water consumption is 4,700 m3 per year.
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3.2.3 Water Treatment I Truckfill Station
Water is drawn from Snare Lake approximately 60 meters off-shore via a single permanent inclined shaft intake into the truckfill station. The water truck driver activates the submersible pump from a control panel on the outside of the building or start/stop button on the truckfill discharge arm, without having to enter the building. A flow-switch on the discharge arm senses water flow and automatically activates a chlorine injection pump, which delivers chlorine solution to the water as it passes through the pipe. Chlorine levels in the water truck are checked daily, and the chlorine injection rate adjusted accordingly. Water treatment consists solely of chlorine disinfection.
3.2.4 Water Distribution I Water Tanks
Water distribution is accomplished via truck delivery. The community has one water delivery t ruck with 8,180 liter stainless steel tank, and the service is provided 7 days per week by the community.
Except for one home, all homes in the community have pressurized water systems feeding from the household water tank, which is in the crawl-space under the house. The one home continues to use 'honey bag' system.
At present, there are two types of water tanks that are being used by private households as follows
• Newer housing units: low profile fibre glass with volume of 2300 litre (500 imperial gallon); • Older residences: upright HDPE tanks with volume range from 1100 to 1400 litre (250 to 350 imperial gallon).
Some of public buildings may have even larger water tanks.
3.3 Sanitary Sewage System
3.3.1 System Overview
The community's annual sewage generation is estimated to be 4,700 m 3 per year. The community's sewage collection is based on trucked pumpout services. The collected sewage is treated through a lake lagoon and wetland system.
Effluent from the sewage lagoon is discharged seasonally, as the lagoon and wetland system thaw in the spring through to freezeup in the fall. Effluent discharged from the lagoon enters a series of lakes and wetland areas, and ultimately discharges into the Snare Lake (See Figure 4).
3.3.2 Trucked Sewage Pump-out
Sewage is collected from houses by a vacuum truck with a 1,900 litre (400 imperial gallon) tank, which empties the individual holding tanks within each house. Sewage collection service is provided 5 days per week to satisfy the existing demand.
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3.3.3 Lagoon Access Road and Sewage Truck Discharge Area
The vacuum truck transfers the sewage from holding tanks to a natural lake lagoon, which is located 1.5 kilometres west of community, adjacent to the landfill area. The lagoon facility is accessible by an all weather gravel road off the main road from the community. The truck discharge area into the lagoon consists of a gravel turnaround area with a discharge chute.
3.3.4 Sewage Lagoon
The natural lake lagoon, put into service in 1982, occupies an area with a diameter of 30 metres, next to the landfill area. The lagoon condition is considered generally fair by the Department of Public Works and Services, GNWT.
3.3.5 Effluent Discharge
As noted above, effluent from the sewage lagoon discharge is seasonal (spring, summer, and fall) due to the lagoon / wetland freezing during the winter months. The effluent from the lagoon enters a series of natural lakes and wetland areas, and ultimately discharges into an embayed area of Snare Lake, approximately 1.7 kilometres west of the community, and 3.4 kilometres west of the water supply intake.
3.4 Solid Waste Disposal
3.4.1 System Overview
The solid waste disposal (landfill) area is located 1.5 km west of the community, less than 75 meters from the sewage treatment area as shown in Figure 5.
The landfill was commissioned in 1993 and the landfill site is compacted periodically. The system consists of the following components:
• Solid waste collection service. • Access roads to disposal area. • Landfill area, comprising domestic waste area, bulky waste area, salvage area, hazardous waste area and honey bag pit.
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Figure 5 - Solid Waste Landfill Site, Community of Wekweeti, NT
3.4.2 Solid Waste Collection and Disposal
Solid waste collection is provided by the community truck collection. Currently this service involves a two-ton duanp truck. Garbage is placed by the residents in 250 liter drums on elevated wooden stands for collection. Residents are encouraged to segregate items such as bulky wastes (metal wastes) that are taken to the landfill.
3.4.3 Access Roads and Perimeter Fence
The solid waste disposal area is accessible by an all-weather gravel road off the main road from the community. The access road has a sign indicating the direction to the various waste segregation areas within the landfill.
A bear fence around the municipal solid waste site is scheduled to be constructed. Wind fences are used to catch windblown debris in addition to periodic compaction of the active area of the landfill.
3.4.4 Landfill Site
Domestic Waste Area
Domestic waste will be disposed of using the "trench method" beginning near the honey bag pit. Addition trenches will be excavated when needed, progressing towards the gate. No burning is allowed at the municipal solid waste area.
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Bulky Waste Disposal Area
The bulky waste area occupies an area measuring approximately 25 meter by 25 meter to the east of domestic waste area. Bulky wastes are maintained in a compact, orderly fashion while still allowing appropriate access.
Salvage Area
An area of approximately 25 meters by 7 meters to the east of bulky waste area is designated for scrap metal and salvageable wood.
Hazardous Waste Storage Area
The hazardous waste area is located to the south of bulky waste disposal area. The public is discouraged from entering the hazardous waste area.
Honey Bag Pit
There are two areas to the southwest and southeast of the domestic area covering 3 meter by 3 meter and 10 meter by 10 meter respectively.
4.0 REVIEWS AND STUDIES - 2001 TO 2007
4.1 Wastewater Management Study, 2007
In May 2007, Dillon Consulting Limited prepared a technical Synopsis on Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Discharge in Northwest Territories. This report provides Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) information related to NWT community wastewater management.
4.2 Infrastructure Baseline Study, 2006
In February 2006, GNWT undertook a general assessment of the Community Public Infrastructure, in the title of Municipal and Community Affairs Baseline Study in Northwest Territories. The study addressed discussions regarding to infrastructure funding and transfer of assets as part of the "New Deal for NWT Community Governments".
4.3 Water System and Management Review, 2001 to 2006
From 2001 to 2006, the Departments of Public Works and Services (PW&S), Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), and Health and Social Services (H&SS) have conducted three joint reviews of community water supply systems, as part of the overall government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) "Workplan Towards Providing Safer Drinking Water in NWT Communities".
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The time frames for the implement of these reviews are summarized as below:
Biannual Review May 25 to 26, 2006 August 2006
Second Review May 12, 2004 April 2005
First Review August 13 to 15, 2001 February 2002
These reviews included an assessment of existing infrastructure; roles and responsibilities; system operations, maintenance and management; and water sampling, testing and reporting.
Table 3 is the summary of the findings of the reviews for the period from 2001 to 2005.
Table 3 - Summary of System Management Review Reports: Water Use
2006 4,800* • A type B water licence is required; • Treated water met the NWT Public Water Supply Regulations and GCDWQ for all parameters except new turbidity guideline of GCDWQ. The existing infrastructure is not capable of meeting this new guideline; • FAC issue was repeated address as per current NWT Public Health Act (Public Water Supply Regulations) and new guideline on virus removal of GCDWG; • Adequate and up-to-date records have been kept in the truckfill station log book; • Water truck operation was on primary base, no back up.
2004 3,881 • A type B water licence is required; • Water intake facilities were in excellent condition; • Treated water met the NWT Public Water Supply Regulations and GCDWQ for all parameters except new turbidity guideline of GCDWQ. The existing infrastructure is not capable of meeting this new guideline; • As per current NWT Public Health Act (Public Water Supply Regulations) and new guideline on virus removal of GCDWG, the free available chlorine (FAC) should be kept at a higher range of 0.4 to 0.5 mg/L after 20 minute contact time; • Water truck operation was on primary base, no back up.
2001 nla • A type B water licence is a requirement of the NWT Water Act; • Water intake was in good condition; routine records of pump flow rates and pressure reading in truckfill were recommended; backwashing of intake is required if flow rates drop significantly; • Truckfill station was clean and organized. However, both station building and fence around fuel tank were required to be kept locked when unattended; • Expected revision of the new turbidity guideline of GCDWQ would likely require filtration for all surface raw water supplies; • Problems with chlorine testing and batch chlorinating would be addressed through a regular training program; • Clarification of responsibilities is also required, particularly with respect to water quality sampling where several gaps in data collection were identified; • A switch from powdered to liquid chlorine should be considered to minimize
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the potential for operational problems and improve operator safe ty; • It was recommended that one or two residential home, either on randomized or local Lay Dispenser base, be selected for monthly bacteriological sampling; • It was recommended to develop a preferred method for household water tank cleaning.
(Annual water consumption in 2005 according to the SAO's calculation.)
5.0 OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE PLANNING
5.1 Water Supply and Distribution System
There were no maintenance concerns expressed for the communi ty's water supply system during the reviews in 2004 and 2006. Regular inspections are being scheduled to determine whether there are any maintenance concerns to be addressed. Operation and maintenance documentation for the sanitary sewage system is .not available as part of the submission of this repo rt.
Based on the recent updated review in 2006, the community has a primary operator certified to the level required to operate the water system.
5.2 Sanitary Sewage System
At the time of the preparation this report, the communi ty does not have any sampling programs to determine the discharged effluent parameters.
5.3 Landfill
In June 2002, the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manual of solid waste management for Wekweeti was completed. The manual was as a guide to provide standard procedures on how facilities are operated and maintained, how often these tasks are performed and who is responsible for their completion.
6.0 REFERENCES
GNWT, 2002. Review of Community Water Management and Water System Infrastructure — Wekweeti(Snare Lake), NT. Public Works and Services, Municipal and Community Affairs, Health and Social Services, NT. February, 2002.
GNWT, 2005. Review of Community Water Management and Water System Infrastructure — Update. Public Works and Services, Municipal and Community Affairs, Health and Social Services, NT. April, 2005.
GNWT, 2006. Review of Community Water Management and Water System Infrastructure — Update. Public Works and Services, Municipal and Community Affairs, Health and Social Services, NT. August, 2006.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), 2006. Community Profile of the Co mmunity of Wekweeti. htt //www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nin/ ro/nwt/Wekwe6t! e.html.
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