Calgary’s public water system scores top marks

A national review of sewage systems puts Calgary’s water treatment facilities at the top of the class. The Sierra Legal Defence Fund found Calgary was the best city among 21 Canadian municipalities surveyed.

Calgary’s publicly-owned and operated system scored an A grade, up from A- in the last review. The state-of-the-art system passed Sierra Legal’s stringent environmental and public health review with flying colours. Sewage is serious business, with far more than what’s flushed down our toilets making its way to treatment plants. In addition to human waste, more than 200 toxic chemicals, as well as solid debris from households, businesses and industrial operations make up the toxic soup requiring treatment before it re-enters the environment.

Calgary’s sewage system serves every resident of the city, treating 170 billion litres of sewage every year. Treatment is to the highest level possible and is done without using chlorine. After a three-step treatment process, the water is exposed to ultra violet light. UV treatment is groundbreaking technology that disinfects water before it’s re-introduced into the environment, without the environmental health concerns that accompany chlorine disinfection. Studies show chlorine seriously harms aquatic life, even in small quantities.

Protecting the environment is a top priority for Calgary’s water workers — everyone from those who maintain the pipes to those testing the water quality. "We have the knowledge and the commitment to give outstanding service to the citizens of Calgary. It’s a public service we can all be proud of," says Dan Donohue, president of CUPE 37, representing the city’s manual workers. "Our members in the labs are extremely committed to doing a first-rate job, and getting an A for our sewer system shows we’re living up to that commitment," adds Peter Marsden, president of CUPE 38, Calgary’s clerical employees union.

Calgary’s water success story demonstrates the value of a well-run public service.

"Our wastewater treatment facilities are recognized as among the best in the industry. This reputation has come about thanks to the dedication and expertise of our employees and the long-term relationships with our consultants, who help design and build the facilities," says John Crosby, acting wastewater engineer for the city’s sewer division.

"These partnerships are the most important elements in keeping up with a growing municipality, changing environmental standards and the increasing complexity of wastewater treatment processes."

Close to home, Azurix has acquired the Hamilton, Ont. water operations of Philip Utilities Management Corporation, the utilities subsidiary of now-bankrupt Philip Services Corp. Azurix inherits a system that was mismanaged and exploited. Since a multi-million litre sewage spill in 1995, proper maintenance and quality of service has remained a key concern. The much-promised cost savings to the municipality came from cutting the staff in half. Quality was also cut, as PUMC adopted an approach of "acceptable risk management," keeping reservoir levels at the bare minimum and turning down water pressure during off-peak hours to cut hydro costs. The consequences were dangerous. Recently Hamilton firefighters, trying to douse an industrial fire close to residences, had to get the water pressure turned up before they could effectively fight the fire — a delay that could have proven deadly.

It appears Azurix will not chart a different course with Hamilton’s wastewater. Enron president Jeffrey Skilling outlined the company’s philosophy at a Seattle electricity conference saying, "You must cut costs ruthlessly by 50 to 60 per cent. Depopulate. Get rid of people. They gum up the works."