North End Water Pollution Control Centre (NEWPCC) plant shutdown
September 23, 2002 press release
North End Water Pollution Control Centre continues to perform well
All plant processes are running well on two pumps at the North End Water Pollution Control Centre, and as of early Saturday morning, two additional pumps are ready if needed. In dry weather conditions, the plant normally runs on two pumps, and in wet weather, runs on two to five pumps, depending on the severity of the rainstorms. The sixth pump is used as a backup.
Since the plant failure, oxygen levels were always within the acceptable range to support aquatic life, in the Winnipeg area as well as in other communities downstream of Winnipeg. Test results showed that the lowest oxygen level in the river was 5.4 mg/L, reported immediately upstream of Lockport on Friday. Below the locks, the oxygen levels never fell below 8.0 mg/L. This level is better than Provincial water quality objectives to support aquatic life. As of Saturday, oxygen levels at Lockport were back up to 8.4 mg/L, which is well within the normal range.
Barry MacBride, Director of the City's Water and Waste Department says, "Starting tomorrow we will begin reducing the number of locations where we are drawing river samples. By Thursday, we will return to our normal river water quality testing schedule, which is monthly samples taken on a year round basis."
Work continues this week on inspecting, servicing, and repairing / replacing support equipment. The sixth and last motor will be removed and sent out for reconditioning, which will make room to install the fifth motor later this week. The booms that were installed at eight outfalls last week to collect floating sewage debris will be removed starting today.
- 30 -
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Kathy Taylor
Public Information Officer
Water and Waste Department
986-6000
This page was last updated on June 29, 2018 |