City eyes multimillion-dollar phosphorus reduction plan

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This article was published 03/02/2021 (1792 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The city could soon spend millions on a short-term solution to reduce the algae-promoting phosphorus that leaves its north end sewage treatment plant and winds up in Lake Winnipeg.

A new report asks Winnipeg city council to approve an interim chemical project expected to cost $10.5 million for capital and $2.2 million per year to operate.

It could be in place by August 2023, if council approves — several years before the city expects to complete a broader $1.8-billion upgrade at the north end plant that will further reduce phosphorus, the report notes.

Coun. Brian Mayes, water and waste committee chairman, said he’ll vote to pursue the project.

“This seems like pretty good value for money. I think it’s important to get going (on reducing phosphorus). It’s not going to change the entire lake around, but it’s a step,” Mayes (St. Vital) said Wednesday.

Sewage effluent has long been a concern, as it contains a source of the phosphorus that eventually fuels algae growth on Lake Winnipeg, which has been plagued by blooms in recent years.

In an email, city spokesman Adam Campbell said the interim solution will strategically add ferric chloride at multiple points in the treatment process to better reduce the chemical element.

Coun. Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood), who has long-advocated for Winnipeg to cut down on this form of pollution, also welcomed the proposal.

“I’m happy to see we’re taking a step forward, finally. This is a step in the right direction,” said Klein.

Campbell said the full north end plant upgrade should be completed by 2032.

The province has ordered Winnipeg to reduce the phosphorus in its effluent to a maximum of one milligram per litre; this interim step alone won’t reach that target, the report says.

Mayes said he hopes, however, it will inspire others to combat water pollution as well, since phosphorus flows in to the lake from multiple points, including from other provinces and states. Improving the health of Lake Winnipeg is expected to require contributions from multiple sectors and governments, he noted.

“We’ll spend some money, we’ll start taking some action. It’s not going to solve the lake’s problems overnight by any means, but at least now we’re doing something. Let’s encourage other provinces, let’s get other jurisdictions to do something, too,” said Mayes.

The city report states Winnipeg contributes about four per cent of Lake Winnipeg’s annual phosphorus load, with 70 per cent of that contribution coming from the north end plant. The interim step would reduce that amount by an estimated eight to 23 per cent.

“It’s taking real action. It’s getting some of the phosphorus out,” said Mayes.

The city expects to use an environmental projects reserve to cover the capital costs and refer operating costs to the 2022 budget, if council approves the plan.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga