Government of the Northwest Territories
REPORT ON DRINKING WATER
2016
GovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritories(GNWT)ReportonDrinkingWater‐2016
PreparedbyDepartmentofMunicipalandCommunityAffairs(MACA),
GovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritories
AllphotospropertyofMACA.
Table of Contents ExecutiveSummary.......................................................................................................................................1
Roles&Responsibilities..............................................................................................................................2
KeepingWaterClean.................................................................................................................................................2
MakingDrinkingWaterSafe..................................................................................................................................2
ProvingDrinkingWaterisSafe.............................................................................................................................3
NWTWaterStewardshipStrategy............................................................................................................4
SourceWaterProtectionandMapping..............................................................................................................5
Community‐basedWaterMonitoring,ResearchandPartnerships.......................................................6
InformationandDataSharing...............................................................................................................................8
YouthandPublicEducationandOutreach.......................................................................................................9
EffectiveMonitoringofDrinkingWaterintheNWT......................................................................10
OperatorCertification...............................................................................................................................11
GNWTCircuitRiderProgram..................................................................................................................12
WaterTreatmentPlantSpotlight‐SambaaK’e.................................................................................13
OperatorAppreciation:EnosElton,FortGoodHope......................................................................15
RemoteMonitoringofWaterTreatmentPlants...............................................................................17
Outlookfor2017..........................................................................................................................................19
2016WaterQualitySummary‐Table..................................................................................................20
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 1
Executive Summary
DrinkingwaterisanimportantissueforNorthwestTerritories(NWT)residents,andtheGovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritories(GNWT)providesinformationtothepubliconallmeasurestakentosupportandprotectcleanwaterintheNWT.Thisreportisintendedtoprovideresidentswithinformationsothattheycanbeconfidentinthesafetyofthewatertheydrinkeveryday.FormoredetailedinformationonNWTdrinkingwater,visitournewwebsiteathttp://www.nwtdrinkingwater.ca.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcernsaboutyourcommunity’sdrinkingwater,contactyourcommunitygovernment.
In 2010, the GNWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) releasedNorthernVoices,NorthernWaters:TheNWTWaterStewardshipStrategy.TheinitialActionPlanfor implementation of the strategy ran from2011‐2015, andENRhas nowdeveloped a newActionPlanfor2016‐2020.Keyelementsoftheplaninclude:
SourceWaterProtectionandMapping, Community‐BasedWaterMonitoring, ResearchandPartnerships, InformationandDataSharing,and YouthandPublicEducationOutreach.
Through the multi‐barrier approach of Source Water Protection, Water Treatment, andMonitoringandTesting,NWToperatorsworktogetherwithalllevelsofgovernmenttodeliversafedrinkingwater.Theoperators’contributionsarehighlightedinanoverviewoftheSambaaK’ewater treatmentplantand itsoperator,TerryCrothers,aswellasan interviewwithEnosElton,theoperatoroftheFortGoodHopewaterplant.
Followingrecentwaterplantupgrades,theCircuitRiderprogramoperatedbyGNWTDepartmentofMunicipalandCommunityAffairs(MACA)hasbeeninstrumentalinhelpingoperatorsupgradetheirskillsandcertificationstomeetthedemandsoftheirnewplants.RecentimprovementstoremotemonitoringsystemsandwatersampledatatrackingarehelpingtheGNWTtobetterassistoperatorswithoperationsandtroubleshooting.Waterplantupgradeswillcontinueduring2017,asthelastthreechlorination‐onlytruckfillsintheNWTarereplacedinordertomeetthefiltrationrequirementsofthecurrentGuidelinesforCanadianDrinkingWaterQuality.Thisprojectisexpectedtobecompletedin2019.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 2
Roles & Responsibilities
ProvidingsafedrinkingwaterintheNWTtakesacoordinatedapproachbyboththeGNWTandthecommunitygovernments.The2005FrameworkforProvidingSafeDrinkingWateroutlinedthemulti‐barrierapproachtosafedrinkingwater.Utilizingfourgovernmentdepartments,theGNWTensuresfreshsafedrinkingwatertoitsresidentsthroughathreetieredsystem.
Keeping Water Clean
Alllevelsofgovernmentrecognizetheneedtomaketheprotectionofsourcewaterapriority.Thisisachievedbyselectingthepurestsourcesofwaterandprotectingthesesourcesfromcontamination.TheGNWThasprimaryresponsibilityforsourcewatermanagementandGNWTdepartmentsareinvolvedinseveralpartnershipsthatundertakeinitiativestopromotetheprotectionofsourcewater.
ENRcontributestokeepingwatercleanthroughsupportingcommunitysourcewaterprotectioninitiativesandcommunity‐basedaquaticecosystemmonitoring,collectinginformationaboutwaterquantityandqualityintheNWTincooperationwithfederalandterritorialdepartments,providinginformationandexpertadvicetoregulatoryboards,andensuringwaterlicensingrequirementsaremet.
Making Drinking Water Safe
DrinkingwatertreatmentanddeliveryisassistedatthecommunitygovernmentlevelbytheDepartmentofInfrastructure(INF)andMunicipalandCommunityAffairs(MACA).ConstructionofwatertreatmentfacilitiesareplannedandmanagedinpartbybothINFandMACAfromatechnicalreviewandprojectmanagementaspect.INFalsoprovidesmaintenanceassistancebothonsiteandindevelopingandperformingroutinemaintenance.MACAplaysaroleintheoperationofthewatertreatmentsystemthroughonsitetrainingwiththecircuitriderprogram,visitingthecommunitiesandhelpingtraintheoperatorsintheirownplant.Also,theSchoolofCommunityGovernment(SCG)withinMACAadministersthecertificationcourseswhicharerunthroughtheAssociationofBoardofCertification(ABC).Fromaprojectmanagementandfundingperspective,MACAworkswithINFandthefederalgovernmentinaccessingfundingoptionsforwaterplantupgradesandmanagingtheprojectsforthecommunities.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 3
Proving Drinking Water is Safe
TheDepartmentofHealthandSocialServices(HSS)istheregulatoryagencythatenforcestheNWTPublicHealthAct.EachcommunityhasanassignedEnvironmentalHealthOfficer(EHO)whoworkswiththeminordertoensurethatthewaterissafeandtheregulatoryrequirementsarebeingmet.TheEHOtravelstoeachcommunitytoperformaphysicalinspectionofthewaterplantsemi‐annually,aswellastoprovideadvicetooperatorsonannualchemicalsamplingand,attimes,assistwiththeannualchemicalsamples.ItistheenforcementoftheNWTPublicHealthActthatwillguidetheEHOintheirworkwiththecommunitygovernmentswhenenforcingregulations,or,ifnecessary,issuingboilwateradvisories.
TherolesoftheGNWTdepartmentsarediverseandcoverallfacetsofprovidingsafedrinkingwater;however,thiswouldnotbepossiblewithouttheworkbeingdoneatthegroundlevelinthecommunities.ThecommunitygovernmentoperatesandmaintainstheirwaterplantwiththehelpoftheGNWT.TheresponsibilityoftheSeniorAdministrativeOfficer(SAO)istoensurecertificationandtosupervisetheoperator.Therolesoftheoperatoraretoensurethatthewateristreatedanddisinfected.Lastly,theroleofthetruckdriveristodeliverwatertothepeopleofthecommunity.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 4
NWT Water Stewardship Strategy
NorthernVoices,NorthernWaters:TheNWTWaterStewardshipStrategy(theWaterStrategy)isamade‐in‐the‐NorthStrategydevelopedtoguidelong‐termstewardshipofourwaterresources.TheWaterStrategywasreleasedin2010inresponsetoNortherners’concernsabouttheirwater.InMay2011,thefirstActionPlan(NWTWaterStewardship:APlanforAction2011‐2015)wasdevelopedtoguidetheimplementationoftheStrategy.
Anindependentevaluationofthe2011‐2015implementationphasewasconductedin2015.TheevaluationunderscoredthesuccessofseveralimportantinitiativesandsuggestedimprovementsforwaterpartnerstoworktogethermoreeffectivelytomeetthegoalsoftheStrategy.TheoutcomesoftheindependentevaluationdirectlyinformedthedevelopmentofanewActionPlanfor2016‐2020(NWTWaterStewardshipStrategy:APlanforAction2016‐2020).
The2016‐2020ActionPlanbuildsonthemomentumofthe2011‐2015implementationphase.ItcontinuestoputintomotionthevisionoftheWaterStrategy.Theplanidentifiesleadandsupportingwaterpartnersandkeystosuccesswithassociatedactionitemsanddeliverabledates.
The2016‐2020ActionPlanalsoreflectsthesignificantpolicychangesstemmingfromtheNWTDevolutionAgreement,whichcameintoeffectonApril1,2014.UnderthisAgreement,responsibilitiesrelatedtowaterandlandmanagementintheNWTweretransferredfromIndigenousandNorthernAffairsCanada(INAC)totheGNWT.Accordingly,theGNWTDepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(ENR)isnowsolelyresponsibleforcoordinatingimplementationoftheWaterStrategy.
Thereareanumberofkeystosuccessandactionitemsidentifiedinthe2016‐2020ActionPlanthatworktowardsensuringNWTresidentshaveaccesstosafe,cleanandplentifuldrinkingwater.Prominentactivitiescurrentlyunderwayinclude:
Sourcewaterprotectionandmapping;
Community‐basedwater
monitoring,researchand
partnerships;
Informationanddatasharing;and,
Youthandpubliceducation
outreach.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 5
Source Water Protection and Mapping
ENRsupportscommunitiestohelpidentifyanddevelopplanstoprotectlocalwatervaluesthatmaybeatriskfromactivitiesontheland.Theseinitiativesarebroadlydescribedas“sourcewaterprotection”–aplanningandmanagementprogramtoprotectthequalityofwaterthatsuppliescommunitydrinkingwatersystems.Sourcewaterprotectionplanningisintendedtoreducetheriskofdrinkingwatercontaminationbybeingthefirstofmultiplebarrierstoensuresafedrinkingwater.
The2016‐2020ActionPlanidentifiessourcewaterprotectionplanningasakeytosuccess.ENRworkedwithsourcewaterprotectionplanningexpertsattheUniversityofSaskatchewanandtheInstituteforWatershedScienceandIndigenousEnvironmentalStudiesDepartmentofTrentUniversitytodevelopaSourceWaterAssessmentandProtectionGuidanceDocument.ThedocumentisatoolthatNWTcommunitiescanusetonavigatethedevelopmentoftheirownsourcewaterprotectionplans.TheguidancedocumentandassociatedworkbookareavailableontheNWTWaterStewardshipWebsite:http://www.nwtwaterstewardship.ca/?q=swprotection.
ENRhasalsocreatedcommunitycatchmentmapstohelpsupportsourcewaterprotectionplanninginitiativesincommunities.ThesemapsarecurrentlyavailableforeachNWTcommunityat:http://www.geomatics.gov.nt.ca/maps.aspx?i=8.
In2014,ENRpartneredwiththeSambaaK’eDeneBand(SKDB)andEcologyNorthtopilottheseresourcesforthefirsttime.Theguidancedocumentandcommunitycatchmentmapswereusedandadaptedthroughoutthesourcewaterprotectionplanningprocess,resultinginasourcewaterprotectionplantailoredtocommunityneedsandvalues.WorkisongoinginSambaaK’etocontinueimplementingtheplan.
Formoreinformationaboutsourcewaterprotectionplanning,pleasecontacttheWaterResourcesDivisionofENRatnwtwaterstrategy@gov.nt.ca.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 6
Community‐based Water Monitoring, Research and Partnerships
DuringthedevelopmentoftheWaterStrategy,communitiesandwaterpartnershighlightedtheneedforwaterresearchandmonitoringtoimproveourcollectiveunderstandingofaquaticecosystemhealth,includingwaterquality.The2016‐2020ActionPlancontinuestorecognizetheimportanceofsupportingNWTcommunitiestobecomemoreinvolvedinwaterresearchandmonitoringandtodevelopinitiativesthataddresscommunityquestions.Strongcommunityinvolvementandthedevelopmentofpartnershipsarefoundationalforthisresearchandmonitoring.Partnershipsfosterawiderangeofinnovations,includingincreasedawarenessofwaterstewardshipissues,increasedlocalcapacityandtechnicalskills,improvedtraditionalknowledgecollectionandapplication,aswellasincreaseddirectcommunityinvolvementinresearchandmonitoringprogramdesign.
Severalcommunity‐basedmonitoringandresearchinitiativesarebeingimplementedunderthe2016‐2020ActionPlan.Forexample,theSlaveRiverandDeltaPartnership(SRDP)wasformedin2010tocoordinateandmaximizecommunity‐basedmonitoringeffortsalongtheSlaveRiverandDelta.Thepartnershipiscontinuingworktowardsthisgoalandincludesmembersofcommunity,territorial,federalandAboriginalgroupsandgovernments,environmentalnon‐governmentalorganizationsandacademia.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 7
TheNWT‐wideCommunity‐basedWaterQualityMonitoring(CBM)Programwaslaunchedin2012withthegoalsofprovidingopportunitiesforNWTresidentstoparticipateinwatermonitoringinanefforttobuildcommunitycapacityandtohelpanswercommunityquestionsaboutwaterquality.Theprogramhaditsfifthyearofwaterqualitymonitoringin2016andcontinuestoinvolvecommunitymembersfrommorethan20communitiesintheNWT,regionalpartners(e.g.DehchoAAROM),ENRstaffandotherwaterpartners.Monitoringisdoneatapproximately40sitesacrosstheNWT.DatafromtheprogramcanbeaccessedonlinefromMackenzieDataStreamhttp://mackenziedatastream.ca.FormoreinformationandpublicationsrelatedtotheNWT‐wideCommunity‐basedWaterQualityMonitoringProgram,pleasevisithttp://www.nwtwaterstewardship.ca/communitymonitoring.
TrackingChangeisasix‐yearprojectledbytheUniversityofAlberta,inpartnershipwiththeTraditionalKnowledgeSteeringCommitteeoftheMackenzieRiverBasinBoard,ENRandmanyotherpartnerorganizations.TheprojectisaimedatdemonstratingtheimportanceoflocalandtraditionalknowledgeinthegovernanceofmajorfreshwaterecosystemsandstrengtheningthevoicesofsubsistencefishersandIndigenouscommunitiesinwatershedgovernance.Themainfocusistopromotecommunity‐drivenlocalandtraditionalknowledgeresearchactivitiesintheMackenzieRiverBasin,wherepeoplehavebeentrackingchangeinwaterandfishfortimeimmemorial.
GlobalWaterFuturesisalargeresearchprojectledbyUniversityofSaskatchewaninpartnershipwithWilfridLaurierUniversity,UniversityofWaterlooandMcMasterUniversitywithmorethan140nationalandinternationalpartners,includingENR.Theaimistoimprovethewaycommunities,governmentsandindustriesinCanadaandothercoldregionsprepareforandmanageincreasingwater‐relatedthreatssuchasdecliningsourcewaterquality,floods,droughtsandalgalblooms.
Formoreinformationabouttheseandothercommunity‐basedmonitoring,researchandpartnerships,pleasecontacttheWaterResourcesDivisionofENRatnwtwaterstrategy@gov.nt.ca.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 8
Information and Data Sharing
Waterstewardshipactivitiesanddecision‐makingmustbesupportedbyadequate,accurate,currentandaccessibledataandinformation.Informationmanagement,specificallywithregardstoimprovingwaterdatacollection,management,andsharing,isanimportantkeytosuccessunderthe2016‐2020ActionPlan.
IncollaborationwithENR,theGordonFoundationrecentlylaunchedMackenzieDataStream‐anonlineopenaccessplatformforsharinginformationaboutfreshwaterintheMackenzieRiverBasinhttp://mackenziedatastream.ca.DataStream’smissionistopromoteknowledgesharingandadvancecollaborative,evidence‐baseddecisionmaking.
ENRalsocompiledtheNWTWaterMonitoringInventory,whichprovidesinformationoncurrentwatermonitoringprogramsledbyAboriginal,federalandterritorialgovernments,communities,industryandothersintheNWT.Theinventoryisintendedtohelpwaterpartnersandthepublicfindinformationaboutthestateofthewaterresourcesintheirregion.
ENRalsostrivestosharewaterstewardshipinformation,includingresultsfromwaterqualitymonitoringandresearch,throughdifferentcommunicationformatstoreachabroadanddiverseaudience.Theseformatshaveincludedelectronicmail‐outs,regionalmeetings,workshops,themedcalendars,teleconferences,brochures,posters,presentations,onlinedatabasesandaudiotranslationfiles.
AlloftheseresourcescanbeaccessedthroughtheNWTWaterStewardshipWebsite:http://www.nwtwaterstewardship.ca/?q=monitoring_research_tools.ThewebsiteisanotherimportantinformationsharingtooltoupdatewaterpartnersandthepubliconprogresstowardsimplementingtheWaterStrategy.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 9
Youth and Public Education and Outreach
Encouragingyoungpeopletobeinvolvedinwaterstewardshipwasidentifiedbywaterpartners,includingcommunities,asanimportantpartoftheWaterStrategy.Buildingawarenessandcapacityamongyouthonwaterandstewardshipcreatesinformedleadersanddecision‐makersoftomorrow.Althoughpublicengagementandyouthoutreachareoftencomponentsthatarebuiltintobroaderwaterstewardshipimplementationactivities,therearealsospecificeducationandoutreachinitiativesincludedinthe2016‐2020ActionPlan.
RiverstoOceansDayisanannualyouthwatereducationeventheldinYellowknife,incollaborationwithvariouswaterpartners,includingENR.Thepurposeoftheeventistoengageyouthinvariouswaterstewardshiptopicsandpromoteawarenessaboutwaterresources.Paststationtopicshaveincludedwatercontamination,drinkingwatertreatmentandwaterqualitysampling.
ENRalsoprovidessupporttobringannualCanadaWaterWeekcelebrationstotheNWT.CanadaWaterWeekisanationalcelebrationofwaterthatencouragesindividuals,organizationsandgovernmentsacrossCanadatohostorparticipateineducationalwater‐relatedevents.PastactivitiesintheNWThaveincludedwater‐themedspeakerevents,communitywatertreatmentplanttours,developmentofasourcewatereducationcurriculumandhands‐onwaterqualityclassroomsessions.
Incollaborationwithwaterpartners,ENRhasalsohostedshorelinecleanupeventsinsupportof the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. The cleanups provide opportunities to educate,empower, and engage people in shoreline litterissuesandtheassociatedimpactsonwaterqualityandhabitats.
ENRalsohastrainedstafftodelivertheStreamofDreamsmuralprograminNWTschools.Theprogramtakeseducatorsintotheclassroomtoteachyouthabouttheimportanceofwater,threatstowaterandactionswecantaketoprotectwaterbodiesinourcommunity.
Formoreinformationonyouthpubliceducationandoutreach,pleasecontacttheWaterResourcesDivisionofENRatnwtwaterstrategy@gov.nt.ca.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 10
Effective Monitoring of Drinking Water in the NWT
SafedrinkingwaterintheNWTisimportanttoallresidents,governments,communitiesandregulators.Oneactionnecessarytoensuresafedrinkingwateristhetimelyreviewoftestresultsformonthlybacteriatests,annualchemicaltestsorforthemultiplechlorineandturbidity(suspendedparticlesinthewater)testsrequireddailybywatertreatmentplants.
RoutinetestingandreportingoftestresultstotheOfficeoftheChiefPublicHealthOfficerisrequiredunderthePublicHealthAct.TheEnvironmentalHealthUnitreviewsalltestresultsassoonasthesearereceivedtoensuredrinkingwaterqualitymeetssafetystandards.Ifthereareanysafetyconcerns,correctiveactionsaretakenimmediatelywiththewatertreatmentoperators.Ifmicrobiologicalsafetycannotbeassured,boilwateradvisoriesareimmediatelyputinplaceandthepublicisnotified.BoilwateradvisoriesareremovedonlywhentheChiefPublicHealthOfficerisassuredthatdrinkingwaterqualitymeetssafetystandards.
PublicreportingofcommunitytestresultshasmostlybeendonethroughpostingofinformationtotheNWTDrinkingWaterwebsite.However,thisolddatabaseisunabletoprovidereportstoneitherassistEnvironmentalHealthOfficersinmonitoringandreviewingcommunityperformanceortrends,norcanitprovidemoreusefulreportstoresidentsandcommunitygovernmentsaboutthefrequencyoftestingandwaterqualityresultsfortheirdrinkingwatersystems.
Anewdatabasehasbeendevelopedtocapturetestresultsforbacteria,chlorinelevelsandturbiditylevels.Community‐specificreportswillbecreatedtopresentresultsforthiscalendaryear(ie.,datasinceJanuary2017).Thesenewreportswillprovideinformationtowatertreatmentoperatorsandcommunitygovernments.ReportswillbepostedontheNWTDrinkingWaterwebsitetwiceperyear,withthefirstreportstobepostedin2018toreflecttestinginthefirsthalfofthecalendaryear.Annualchemicaltestresultswillalsobeposted.Worktoupdatethechemicalsampledatabaseisongoing.
Ifyouhavequestionsaboutyourdrinkingwatersafety,firstcontactyourcommunitygovernment.Shouldyounotbeabletogetinformationfromthecommunitygovernment,contacttheEnvironmentalHealthUnitatenvironmental_health@gov.nt.caor(867)7679066Ext49262.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 11
Operator Certification
IntheNWTwatertreatmentoperatorshavemandatorycertificationtotheleveloftheirtreatmentplant.Certificationisachievedthroughacombinationofworkexperienceandpassingatestratedtothelevelofplanttheyareoperating.ThecertifyingbodyrecognizedthroughoutCanadaistheAssociationofBoardsofCertification(ABC).CoursesinwatertreatmentplantoperationareadministeredthroughtheSchoolofCommunityGovernmentandareheldmultipletimesthroughouttheyearandcanbeofferedindifferentregionstoallowforgreaterattendance.MACAofferscoursesuptotheclasstwolevels,asaresultthefewmunicipalitiesthathaveaclass3plantarerequiredtoattendthecourseinAlbertaandtheircertificationthroughABCcanbetransferredbacktotheNWT.IntheNWTitisalsopossiblefortheoperatorstogainrestrictedcertificationtotheirwaterplantthroughacombinationofcoursetimeandworkexperience.Theconstructionofnewwatertreatmentplantscanchangetheclassificationofthewaterplant;currentlyhalfofthenon‐certifiedoperatorsworkinginthenorthhavebeenthroughaninfrastructureupgradeandareworkingtowardsadvancementtotheirlevelofplant.
Foranyinformationoncourses,materialorcertificationnumbers,contacttheMACASchoolofCommunityGovernmentat(867)767‐9163ext.21057
74%
26%
Certified
Not Certified
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 12
GNWT Circuit Rider Program
TheMACACircuitRiderProgramprovideson‐siteinstructionforwatertreatmentplantoperators.Beginningin2004,theprogramhasbeeninstrumentalinhelpinglocalwatertreatmentplantoperatorsgaincertificationaswellasoperatetheirwaterplantinanefficientandsafemanner.Withnewtechnologiesbeingdevelopedandwatertreatmentplantsbeingupgraded,theCircuitRiderProgramhelpstobringthenewoperatorsuptospeed,aswellashelpingthecurrentoperatorlearnallthenewprocessesinvolvedwiththeirnewfacility.Inaddition,theWaterSupplySystemRegulationsenactedinSeptember2009madecertificationmandatoryforwatertreatmentplantoperators.Forthesereasons,andbecauseofhighoperatorturnover,anincreasedemphasisontrainingandcertificationisneededandtheCircuitRiderProgramassistscommunitiestoaddresstheserequirements.
Duetonewfederalguidelinesonwaterfiltration,inthepastdecade,10newwatertreatmentplantshavebeenbuiltandarecurrentlybeingoperated,andconstructionofthreemoreplantsisslatedtobestartedwithinthenextfewyears.Asaresult,therearemanyoperatorsthathaveseenchangesinboththeirplantclassificationandcomplexity.Havinghandsontrainingwhilelearninghowtooperateanewfacilityincreasestheoperator’sconfidenceaswellasprovidingasecondsetofeyesandearsonthegroundfortroubleshootingandmaintenance.
ThecertificationprocessintheNWTrequiresthattheoperatorpassatestbasedontheclassificationoftheirwatersystemaswellashavingplantexperience.TheCircuitRiderprogramcanbeagoodwaytoinspireconfidenceinthedrinkingwaterfromthecommunityandtohelpboosttheoperator’sconfidencewhilehelpingthemachievecertification.
Aswellasperformingroutinemaintenanceandtraining,thecircuitriderassignedtoeachcommunitycanalsohelpduringemergencysituationsorprovideclassroomhelptopreparetheoperatorsinadvanceofthecertificationcourse.TheMACASchoolofCommunityGovernmentprovidescoursesannuallyforthedifferentlevelsofcertification,andwilloftenworkinconjunctionwiththecircuitridertoidentifythebestcandidatetotakethecourseandhelppreparethembeforehandinordertomaximizetheprobabilityofsuccessinthecourseandtoreceivecertification.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 13
Water Treatment Plant Spotlight‐ Sambaa K’e
SambaaK’eisatownofapproximately150peoplethatresidesinthesouthwestcorneroftheNWT.ThewatersourceisTroutLake,alargebodyofwaterthatisrelativelydeepandcoldthroughouttheyear.Althoughthewaterhasrelativelylowturbidityitisknowntohavehighcolorduetothelushenvironmentinwhichitissituated,aswellasthehighwatertable.Priorto2014thecommunityreliedonasmallsystemwatertreatmentplantwithanabovegroundseasonalfillreservoirthatallowedsomeofthesolidstosettleout,butchangestotheGuidelinesforCanadianDrinkingWaterQualitymadefiltrationmandatory.UsingfundingfromtheBuildCanadafundingprogram,theGNWT,PW&S,MACAandtheSambaaK’eBandenteredintoanagreementtobuildanewwatertreatmentplantusingabundledapproachpartneringwiththecommunitiesofLutselk’e,FortGoodHope,JeanMarieRiverandWrigleytoreducecosts.
ThenewfacilityisaClass1plantconsistingofcoagulant‐assistedmembranefiltration.Waterispumpedfromtheseasonalfillreservoirintoacoagulanttankinsidethebuildingwhereinlineflash mixers help the coagulant mix into the water and bind to the organic particles. Aftercoagulation,thewaterispumpedintothemembranetankwherenegativeairpressurecreatesavacuumtopullthewaterthroughthemicrofiltrationmembranetubesatarateof104litersperminute. The coagulated organics and turbidity are caught on the outside of themembranes.Oncefiltered,thewaterisdisinfectedwithliquidchlorineandpumpedintoachlorinecontactchamber where it retained long enough to for disinfection to take place. Once filtered anddisinfected, the water is stored in the equalization tank until it is delivered to the localresidents.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 14
ThewatertreatmentplantismaintainedbylocaloperatorTerryCrothers,whooverseesthedaytodayfunctionswithintheplantincludingalltheregulatorysamplingandmaintenancelogs.Inorderfortheplanttoworkatitsoptimumcapacity,regularcalibrationoftheinlinemeteringequipmentisneeded,alongwithroutinemaintenanceontheplantitself.SomeofthemaintenanceitemsincluderepairingmembranefibersandperformingaquarterlyCleaninPlaceonthefiltermembranes.Onceperday,theplantperformsamembraneintegritytestbyshuttingoffthewaterflowtotheplantandfilingthemembranesfullofairinordertocheckforleaks.Intheeventofacompromisedfilter,theplantwillfailitsmembraneintegritytestandanalarmwilllettheoperatorknowthatarepairisneeded,ifthishappenstheaffectedmembranecassettemustberemovedandtestedagainwithpressurizedairtodetecttheleakandthenrepairedwithaUVactivatedepoxy.
Thecleaninplaceprocedureisperformedquarterlyandconsistsofatwo‐partchemicalbathwhichcleansthemembranestopreservethelifeoftheplant,aswellaskeeptheoptimalflowrate.Duetothesizeoftheporesinthemembranes,builduponthefibersiscommonandneedsto be removed regularly. The first step to cleaning the membranes is a high‐concentrationhypochloritebath,wherealargedoseofchlorineisaddedtothemembranesinordertokilloffanymicroorganisms, algae or bacteria that is built up on the surface of themembranes; thisprocesstakes12hoursofsoakingtime.Oncedilutedbacktosafe levels, thewater isdrained,andthemembranesarerinsedinpreparationfortheacidwash.CitricacidisaddedtothetanksinordertolowerthepHinsidethemembranechamberto2.Thisremovesanyfoulingandscalebuildupduringanothertwelvehoursoak.Thewateristhenneutralizedbackto7usingsodiumhydroxide,andthendrained.Themembranesarerinsedonceagain;theplantisthenreadytobebroughtbackonline.
NWTfacilitiessuchasthisoneareashiningexampleofhowalllevelsofgovernment,includingthecommunitygovernmentscanworktogethertoprovideclean,safedrinkingwaterinthesmallernorthernCommunitieswhilecomplyingwithchangingfederalguidelines.
KeepupthegoodworkTerryandtheSambaaK’ewatertreatmentplant!
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 15
Operator Appreciation: Enos Elton, Fort Good Hope
ThecommunityofFortGoodHopeliesonthebanksoftheMackenzieRiverintheSahturegionoftheNorthwestTerritories.ThecommunitygetstheirwaterfromtheMackenzieRiverthroughaseasonalfillreservoirtoallowturbiditytosettleanditisthenpumpedintoaclass1coagulantassistedmembranefacilitythatwasbuiltin2015.Priortothenewplant,thecommunityusedasmallsystemtruckfillstationwithchlorinedisinfection.Forthepast23yearsEnosEltonhasoperatedtheplantallthewhileconductingthedutiesofthecommunityworksforeman.In2017hesteppedasideforPaulT’seleietotakeoverasthefulltimeoperatorsoEnoscanfocusonhisdutiesasforemanuntilheretires.HewillalsoactasbackupoperatortoPaulandmentorhimwhileheislearningthenewplant.
WhendidyoustartworkingattheWTP?
Istartedbackin1994
WhatdrewyoutobeingtheWTPoperator?
PWS(nowINF)usedtorunthewaterplantuntilthecommunitytookoveritsoperations.WhenweswitchedIwastheonlyoneavailable,soittookthejob.ThroughouttheyearsotherpeoplehaveworkedherebutIalwaysendedupbackrunningthewaterplanteventhoughIwastheforeman
Whatlevelofcertificationdidyoureceive?
SmallSystemandrestrictedcertificationfortheClass1systemaftertheupgradewascompleted.
Whatweresomeofthemainchallengesyoufacedasbeingtheforemanandwatertreatmentplantoperator?
Themainproblemhasbeenencounteringissueswiththewaterplantandnothavinglocalcapacitytofixit,waitingforhelpfromoutoftown,whenpeoplearen’tavailablecantakelongerthanifwehadmoreworkersaroundhere.Also,gettingpartscanbeanissue,thenewplanthaditschallengeswiththecomputersystemandsomepartsthatfailedbutit’sallworkedoutnow.
Whatwasyourfavoritepartofthejob?
Ijustreallyenjoydoingthisjoblearningnewthingsonaregularbasis.Lookingafterthecommunity’swaterisrewardingknowingyouareprovidingnicecleanwatertothetown.
Whatwasyourleastfavoritepartofthejob?
Iactuallylikedallpartsofthejobthereareotherdutiesasforemanofthecommunitythatarenotasfunbutthewaterplanthasalwaysbeenthegoodpartofit.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 16
Whatisyourplanforthefuture?
Iwillkeepworkingastheforemanforafewmoreyears,andhelpPauloutwiththewaterplant.ThenwhenIfinallydecidetoretirefromworkingaltogetherIwillenjoytimeatmycabinuptheriverandathomewithmyfamily.
Whatdoyoulikeaboutthenewplantascomparedtotheoldone?
Thenewplantissomuchnicerwiththesefilters.Theoldplanthadnofilterssothewaterwouldgetworsearoundthereservoirfill‐upandwhenitrainedhard.Andit’sniceandclean.
Whatwillyoumissmostaboutoperatingthewatertreatmentplant?
IamsureIwillstillspendenoughtimehelpingPauloutthatIwon’tmissitmuch.
Haveyouenjoyedmentoringyoungerstaff?
Yeahtheyarereallygood,theyareyoungandhavewaymoreenergythanmeandPaulisgoodwithcomputerssoithasmadeusingthenewplantaloteasier.
Whatisonepieceofadviceyoucouldgivetootheroperatorsjuststartingout?
Takeyourtrainingandsticktoit.Thetestishardbutifyoudothecourseandworkhardanyonecanpassit.Onceyougetyourcertificateforthewall,makesureyouhavepatienceespeciallywiththenewwaterplants.Theyhavethingsthatcangowrongoutofnowhere.
TheMACAwaterandsanitationsectionwouldliketoextendahugethankyoutoEnosforallhisyearsofhardworkanddedication!
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 17
Remote Monitoring of Water Treatment Plants
TheNWThas33communitiesand30watertreatmentplants(WTP).TheseWTPhavevaryingtechnologies,includingtruckfillstations,membranesystems,conventionalchemically‐assistedfiltration,pristinewaterdualdisinfection,directmediafiltration,greensandfilters,andwatersofteners.MACAsupportandEnvironmentalHealthOfficer(EHO)enforcementoftheregulationsarechallengedbythevastdistancesandlimitedaccesstoNWTcommunities.Therefore,itwasdeterminedlongagothatsomeformofremotemonitoringwasneededtoensurethatNWTresidentsreceivetheverybestdrinkingwater.
Initially,theonlyformofremotemonitoringwastheweeklylogsheetthatwasfaxedtotheEHO.WTPoperatorswouldperformdailychlorineandturbiditytestsandrecordthemonalogsheetthatwasfaxedtotheEHOforreview.Thisisstilldone,andgivesEHO’svaluableinformationonhowaWTPisoperating,butthedatacanbeuptoaweekold.
Inthemid‐2000’stheGNWTstartedapilotprogramtoinstallinlineturbidityandchlorinemetersinvariouscommunities.LivedatawastransmittedtoandrecordedonadevicecalledaSensaphone.DataontheSensaphonecouldbedownloadedlocallyorviaadial‐upmodem.RegulardatadownloadswererequiredastheSensaphonehadalimitedmemory.Additionally,poor‐qualityphonelinesmadedial‐upconnectionschallengingatbest.However,thesystemcouldbeusedtogetup‐to‐dateinformationfromaspecificWTPandpavedthewayforfutureremotemonitoringsystems.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 18
NewerWTPinstallationscamewithinlinemetersandProgrammableLogicControllers.Thesedevicesloggedthevariousparametersmeasuredandhadsignificantmemorystorage.Dial‐upaccesswasalsoprovided,whichallowedremotedownload.Thedial‐upaccessstillhaditslimitations.Often,severalattemptswouldberequiredtoestablishaconnectionandtheconnectionwouldoftenbelostduringdownload.
ThenextwaveofremotemonitoringisnowcomingasNWTcommunitiesgetincreasedaccesstobroadbandinternetand3Gcellularservice,whichcanbeusedforaninternetconnection.Thisallowsforcontinuousonlinemonitoringofparameters.MACA’sWaterandSanitationstaffhavebeeninstallingasystemcalledDeviceLynkinselectNWTWTP’s.TheDeviceLynksystempassivelyreads“tags”fromthePLC,storesthedata,andthentransmitsitovertheinternet.Thisdatacanthenbeviewedremotelyandcombinedwithdatafromvariousothersystems.MACAstaffcanthenviewthisdataontheircomputersandeasilyprovidelivesupporttooperatorsinremotecommunities.AboutonethirdofNWTcommunitieshavethesesystemsinstalledwithmoreplannedforthefuture.
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016 19
Outlook for 2017
Firstpublishedin2004byPWS,GoodEngineeringPracticeforNorthernWaterandSewerSystems(GEP)hasbeenaninvaluabletoolfordesignersofnortherninfrastructure.ThewaterandsanitationsectionofPWShassincemovedtoMACA.MACAisnowintheprocessofupdatingtheGEPtotakeintoaccountnewtechnologies,lessonslearned,andrecentnorthernresearch.Thesecondeditionisexpectedtobepublishedin2017.
Theremotemonitoringprogramwillseeanincreasein2017.Newdeviceswillbeinstalledinmoreofourwaterplantsgivingabetterviewofthedaytodayoperationswithintheplanttoassistwithregulatoryrequirementsandmaintenanceplanning.
TheMACACircuitRiderProgramwillcontinuetoworkwithidentifiedcommunitiestohelpoperateandmaintaintheirwatertreatmentinfrastructure,aswellastohelptheoperatorsworktowardsachievingcertificationtotheleveloftheirwatertreatmentplant.
DatatrackingandregulatoryreportingcomplianceiscurrentlybeingupdatedbyHSSwiththenewsystem,expectedtoberolledoutin2018,givingamoreaccurateviewoftheregulatorycomplianceobligationsbeingcompletedatthecommunitylevel.
TheGovernmentofCanadaandtheGNWTwilltakeonjointfundingofprojectsthroughthebuildingCanadaPlan’sSmallCommunitiesFund.ThefundingProgramwillsupportkeyinfrastructureinitiativesthroughoutthenorth,includingupgradestodrinkingwaterfacilities,roadimprovementsandrecreationalfacilities.ThroughthisprogramthecommunitiesofPaulatuk,GamètìandWekweètìwillhavenewtreatmentplantsbuilt.AlsostudiesandupgradestocurrentfacilitieswillhappeninthecommunitiesofInuvikandWhatì.FormoreinformationonthesmallcommunitiesfundintheNWTvisit:http://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/small‐communities‐fund/
Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Drinking Water ‐ 2016
Community Plant
Classification Water Source Water Treatment Process Certified
Operator
Treated Water Bacteria Tests
(% of compliance, 48 required, 228 for Yellowknife)
Treated Water Chemical Tests
(1 required) 2016 2015 2016 2015
Aklavik Class II Mackenzie River (Peel Channel) Conventional (Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation and Filtration), Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Colville Lake Small System Colville Lake Cartridge Filtration, Chlorination, Storage 2% *13%
Délıne Small System Great Bear Lake Cartridge Filtration, UV, Chlorination, Storage 100% 100%
Behchoko (Edzo) Class II West Channel Conventional (Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation and Filtration), Chlorination and Storage 100% 56%
Behchoko (Rae) Class II Marian Lake Conventional (Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation and Filtration), Chlorination and Storage 100% 68%
Fort Good Hope Class I Mackenzie River Membrane Filtration, Chlorination and Storage 65% 94%
Fort Liard Class I Groundwater Well Potassium Permanganate Assisted Greensand Filtration, Softening, Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Fort McPherson Class II Deep Water Lake Conventional (Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation and Filtration), Chlorination and Storage 75% 100%
Fort Providence Class II Mackenzie River Conventional (Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation and Filtration), Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Fort Resolution Class II Great Slave Lake Conventional (Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation and Filtration), Chlorination and Storage 65% 75%
Fort Simpson Class II Mackenzie River Conventional (Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation and Filtration), Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Fort Smith Class III Slave River Upflow Clarifier, Filtration, Chlorination, Fluoridation, Storage 100% 23%
Gamètì Small System Rae Lake Chlorination 83% 38%
Hay River Class II Great Slave Lake Conventional (Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation and Filtration), Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Inuvik Class III Mackenzie River Coagulation, Membrane Filtration , Chlorination, Fluoride, Storage 100% 100%
Jean Marie River Class I Mackenzie River Membrane Filtration, Chlorination, and Storage 92% 96%
Łutselk’e Class I Great Slave Lake Membrane Filtration, Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Nahanni Butte Class I Groundwater Well Potassium Permanganate Assisted Greensand Filtration, Softening, Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Norman Wells Class II Mackenzie River Conventional (Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation and Filtration), Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Paulatuk Small System New Water Lake Chlorination 77% 100% Sachs Harbour Small System DOT Lake Cartridge Filtration, Chlorination 31% 65%
Sambaa K’e Class I Trout Lake Membrane filtration, Chlorination and Storage 67% 73%
Tsiigehtchic Class I Tso Lake Nano‐Filtration, Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Tuktoyaktuk Class I Kudlak Lake Pressure Filtration, UV, Chlorination and Storage 100% 100% Tulita Class I Great Bear River Micro‐Filtration, Chlorination and Storage 94% 100%
Ulukhaktok Small System RCAF Lake Pre‐Filter, UV, Chlorination and Storage 100% 65%
Wekweètì Small System Snare Lake Chlorination 65% 44%
Whatì Class I Groundwater Well Potassium Permanganate Assisted Greensand Filtration, Softening, Chlorination and Storage 100% 100%
Wrigley Class I Mackenzie River Membrane filtration, Chlorination and Storage 100% 92%
Yellowknife Class II Yellowknife River Membrane Filtration, Chlorination, Fluoridation, Storage 100% 100%
*Boil Water Advisory Does not meet Requirements Meets Requirements
2016 Water Quality Summary ‐ Table
HSS & MACA Staff works with communities that submit less than the required number of bacterial samples per year to improve monitoring and reporting of samples and results. Drinking water is monitored by other parameters to ensure safety of water distributed (Chlorine and Turbidity). Low sample submission does not indicate unsafe drinking water.