Halifax  Harbour  and  the  Sewage  Water  Pollution  Project  Vital  -­‐  2011  

by  José  Ettiene  Ortiz  Medina    

   

Halifax  Harbour  and  the  Sewage  Water  Pollution  

 

 Written  by:  José  Ettiene  Ortiz  Medina  

Student  of  Public  Relations  and  Advertising  at  the  Inter  American  University  of  Puerto  Rico  -­‐  Ponce  Campus,  with  diploma  in  Hispanic,  Latin  American  and  European  Studies  Granted  by  the  José  Ortega  y  Gasset  Foundation  in  Toledo,  Spain  and  certified  in    Journalism  studies  at  The  University  of  King's  College  in  Halifax,  Canada.  

All  around  the  world,  people  need  to  face  how  they  will  manage  the  sewage  water  they  produce.  

Some  countries  just  dump  everything  in  a  river,  lake,  or  the  nearest  ocean.  Others,  especially  more  developed  countries  are  treating  the  waters  before  they  discharge  on  any  of  the  natural  water  bodies  of  their  countries.  Even  when  the  technology  is  there  to  treat  the  sewage  waters,  still  most  countries  cannot  pay  for  these  kinds  of  systems.    This  creates  a  type  of  pollution  that  affects  the  ecosystem  of  the  water  bodies  and  the  animals  who  live  in  it  and  from  it,  including  the  humans.    

The  aim  of  these  treatments  is,  in  general,  to  reduce  the  pollution  and  make  it  safe  for  the  environment.  To  meet  these  ends  there  are  several  types  of  treatment  depending  on  what  pollutants  the  water  is  bringing  and  other  more  general  factors  such  as  location  of  the  sewage  treatment  plant,  climate,  and  ecosystems  affected,  etc.  

Even  developed  countries  like  Canada  are  still  facing  the  problems  wastewaters  can  create  in  their  societies.    Halifax,  the  capital  of  the  province  of  Nova  Scotia  with  a  population  of  359,183  (Census  2001)  located  at  the  southeast  of  Canada,  in  touch  with  the  Atlantic  Ocean  is  one  of  the  cities  struggling  with  their  sewage  waters  in  this  country.      

Halifax  Waterfront

 

 

One  of  the  biggest  environmental  problems  the  city  of  Halifax  is  facing  is  the  pollution  produced  by  the  sewage  waters  being  dumped  at  the  city  harbour  without  any  kind  of  treatment.  According  to  Environment  Canada  this  harbour  is  considered  one  of  the  biggest  and  deepest  in  the  world.    

The  recent  problem  started  when  the  new  sewage  treatment  plant  (officially  open  in  February  2008)  failed  in  January  2009  because  of  a  wastewater  flooding  damage  due  to  an  extended  local  area  power  outage.  As  a  result,  the  plant  has  been  temporarily  shut  down  and  all  wastewater  previously  routed  through  the  plant  is  being  discharged  into  the  Halifax  Harbour,  dumping  around  180,000,000  liters  of  untreated  water  per  day.  Bringing  the  harbour  to  the  state  it  was  before  the  construction  of  the  sewage  treatment  plant.    

Local  universities  like  Dalhousie  University  and  environmental  organizations  like  The  Ecology  Action  Centre  are  still  researching  how  this  pollution  is  affecting  the  ecosystem  of  the  city  harbour.  One  of  the  problems  that  scientist  predict  is  the  eutrophication  of  the  harbour,  which  is  the  increase  in  concentration  of  chemical  elements  required  for  life.  The  nitrates,  phosphate  and  organic  matter  found  in  human  waste  serve  as  a  food  for  algae  and  bacteria.  This  causes  these  organisms  to  overpopulate  to  the  point  where  they  use  up  most  of  the  dissolved  oxygen  that  is  naturally  found  in  water,  making  it  difficult  for  other  organisms  in  this  aquatic  environment  to  live.  The  bacteria  are  basically  strangling  the  other  organisms.  Some  of  the  organisms  that  do  overpopulate  from  this  can  also  be  disease-­‐causing  microorganisms.  Phosphates  are  also  found  in  soaps  and  detergents.  

   

The  Media  and  Other  Pollutants  That  Has  Not  Been  Covered  

Much  has  been  said    in  the  national  and  local  media  about  the  pollution  of  the  Halifax  Harbor  cause  by  the  sewage  treatment  plant  failure.    The  problem  with  the  sewage  treatment  plant  was  also  a  stinky  situation  for  the  public  and  environmental  organizations  that  couldn’t  get  information  about  how  the  plant  was  being  managed  because  of  the  secrecy  wall  Halifax  Regional  Municipality  held  during  the  first  months  of  the  treatment  plant  failure.    

There  is  another  fact  that  is  being  omitted.  Not  only  is  the  sewage  waters  contaminating  the  harbor  but    there  are  other  chemicals  that  are  polluting  the  water  as  well.    

Yes,  the  sewage  treatment  plant  failure  it’s  the  biggest  problem  the  Halifax  harbor  is  confronting  right  now,  but  storm  waters  and  chemicals  people  and  industry  throw  through  the  pipes  are  also  affecting  the  harbor.  

In  an  interview  with  Richard  Stephenson  from  the  Terrain  Group  (one  of  the  companies  that  develop  sewage  treatment  plants)  he  said:  “chemicals  like  those  in  the  cleaning  products  are  not  treated  by  the  sewage  treatment  plants,  so  they  go  directly  to  the  oceans,  creating  a  type  of  pollution  that  has  not  been  covered  very  much.  “  

Restaurant  owners  across  the  harbor  have  said  that  Tourism  and  fishers  have  been  affected  because  of  the  pollution  of  the  harbor,  affecting  the  economy  of  the  city  as  well.      

In  an  open  letter  to  the  Mayor  Peter  Kelly,  the  Canadian  Restaurants  and  Foodservice  Association  s  stated:  “The  summer  months  are  a  make-­‐or-­‐break  time  when  foodservice  operators  rely  on  waterfront  traffic.  Yet  this  year,  business  operators  report  a  large  number  of  complaints  from  customers  about  the  strong  odours  both  inside  and  outside  their  businesses.  In  some  instances  the  odours  are  so  strong  that  customers  

refuse  to  be  seated  in  outdoor  patio  areas.  Many  operators  believe  the  public  awareness  of  raw  sewage  

pouring  into  the  harbour  on  Lower  Water  Street  is  also  keeping  many  local  and  regional  customers  away  from  the  waterfront  area.”  

The  city  of  Halifax  plans  to  have  the  sewage  treatment  plant  working  in  spring  2010.  But  once  this  happens  ,  there  are  other  steps  people  should  consider  in  order  to  help  maintain  the  waters  clean.  The  government  is  not  the  only  responsible  for  the  harbor  situation.  Everyone  in  the  city  can  be  part  of  the  solution  for  a  better  and  less  contaminated  harbor.  

 

 

 

 

Halifax  Waterfront  Restaurants  Area  

More  Clarity  On  The  Waste  Water  Management  On  The  Way  

During  the  Atlantic  Canada  Water  and  Wastewater  Association  (ACWWA)  annual  conference  celebrated  last  October  19  at  the  Marriott  Hotel  in  Halifax,  Stefan  Furey  from  Environment  Canada  said  the  agency  is  working  on  new  policies  for  more  clarity  and  transparency  on  how  the  wastewater  is  managed.  These  policies  will  benefit  both  wastewaters  plant  owners  and  general  public  as  well.      “Wastewater  treatment  plant  owners  (public  and  private)  will  have  to  report  on  their  plant  performance  and  I  would  expect  that  if  treatment  performance  does  not  meet  their  targets  they  would  have  to  explain  why  and  what  they  have  done,  or  plan  to  do,  to  remedy  the  situation.”  Said  engineer  Stefan  Furey  from  Environment  Canada  Waste  and  Wastewaters  branch.    This  statement  contrast  with  the  role  Halifax  Regional  Municipality  Stormwater/  Waste  Management  took  during  the  January  failure  of  the  $54-­‐million  sewage  plant  when  the  facility  flooded  with  nearly  seven  million  liters  of  sewage.  At  that  time,  most  of  the  information  was  held  on  secrecy  by  the  city.      When  asked  if  these  policies  will  remove  the  secrecy  walls  like  those  held  by  the  Halifax  municipality  during  the  sewage  system  failure,  Stefan  said:  “I  can’t  say  if  it  will  remove  the  “secrecy  walls”  you  referred  to,  but  there  should  definitely  be  more  transparency  on  how  a  treatment  facility  has  been  operating.”    The  public  reporting  system  will  be  developed  over  the  next  couple  of  years.  These  new  policies  are  scheduled  to  take  effect  in  2012.      On  the  other  hand,  wastewater  plant  owners  will  benefit  from  a  new  policy  that  unifies  federal  regulations  and  provincial  regulations.      “Currently  there  are  regulations  and  reporting  requirements  that  they  (wastewater  plant  owners)  have  to  follow  from  both  the  Provincial  and  Federal  government.  This  can  cause  conflicts  and  confusion  at  times.  We  will  be  trying  to  set  up  policies  or  agreements  such  that  the  treatment  plant  owners  will  only  have  to  deal  with  one  regulator.”  said  Furey.      The  engineer  pointed  that  the  policies/agreements  have  yet  to  be  developed  and  will  probably  take  a  couple  more  years  to  get  in  place.    

Stefan  Furey  from  Environment  Canada  

The  Problem  Does  Not  Only  Come  From  The  Sewage  Treatment  Plant  

The  problem  of  pollution  in  the  Harbor  goes  way  beyond  the  failure  of  the  sewage  treatment  plant.  There  are  some  others  chemicals  that  are  affecting  it  as  well  and  there  are  some  ways  the  people  of  the  city  can  help  to  reduce  the  problem.  

“The  harbor  does  not  only  receive  the  contaminants  from  the  sewage,  but  also  from  industrial  actives,  oil,  and  many  house  hold  products”  said  Jocelyn  Rankin  from  the  Ecology  Action  Centre.  

Contrary  to  popular  belief,  Halifax  Regional  Municipality  wastewater  treatment  plants  are  not  equipped  to  handle  many  toxic  chemicals.    

“With  the  sewage,  the  sewage  treatment  plant  also  receives  a  lot  of  other  chemicals  that  are  not  treated  by  the  plant;  like  those  in  the  cleaning  products.  These  chemicals  goes  directly  to  the  water  bodies  without  any  kind  of  treatment”  Said  Richard  Stephenson,  engineer  for  the  Terrain  Group.    

The  discharge  of  these  chemicals  directly  into  the  harbour  also  contributes  to  make  the  water  body  unusable  for  drinking,  recreation  and  industry  and  harm  aquatic  life.  Being  aware  of  that,  we  can  do  several  things  in  our  home  to  improve  the  quality  of  water  this  water  body.    

Halifax  Regional  Municipality  express  on  their  website:    

http://www.halifax.ca/pollutionprevention/PaintsandSolventsinYourHome.html  

There  are  many  simple  and  economical  things  we  can  do  every  day  to  help  protect  the  lakes  and  rivers  of  HRM,  as  well  as  the  harbour.  Properly  dispose  of  products  such  as  paints,  solvents  and  vehicle  fluids.  Remember  that  while  it  is  important  to  properly  dispose  of  hazardous  or  toxic  chemicals,  it  is  good  practice  to  use  less  to  begin  with  or  even  better,  none  at  all.  

Elimination  or  reduction  of  pollutants  at  or  near  the  source  is  less  expensive  and  more  effective  than  collecting,  treating  and  disposal  of  our  wastes.    

Halifax  Sewage  Treatment  Plant  

Some  Recipes  for  non-­‐toxic  household  products  that  you  can  make  at  home,  using  ingredients  you  may  already  have:  

Cleaning  Products:  

All  Purpose:  

• Baking  soda  and  water  • 1  part  Baking  Soda,  2  

parts  white  vinegar,  4  parts  warm  water  

Dish  Detergent:

• Natural  liquid  soap,  phosphate  free  products  

Glass/Window  Cleaner:  

• Equal  parts  of  white  vinegar  &  water.  Store  in  a  clean    pump  spray  container  

Bleach:  

• Borax  

Drain  Cleaner:  

• Use  plunger  or  mechanical  snake.  Flush  rain  weekly  with  boiling  water.  

Toilet  Bowl  Cleaner:  

• Paste  of  Borax  @  lemon  juice.  Let  stand  then  scrub.  

Scouring  Powder:  

• 1  cup  white  vinegar  &  2  litres  warm  water  

• Baking  Soda  (It’s  non  abrasive)  

By  employing  the  principles  of  pollution  prevention,  we  may  save  money,  have  healthier  and  safer  workplaces  and  homes,  protect  our  natural  resources  and  protect  our  environment.    

At  home,  wastewater  is  not  only  produced  when  you  flush  the  toilet,  but  it  is  also  produced  when  you  shower,  wash  clothes,  prepare  your  meals,  and  clean  up  dishes,  pots  and  pans.  Not  everything  that  is  disposed  of  down  the  drain  is  safe  for  the  plumbing  in  your  house  or  safe  for  the  miles  of  public  sewers  that  service  the  community.  Having  that  in  mind,  you  should  be  aware  of  the  chemicals  you  use  on  those  activities,  because  they  can  end  being  part  of  the  pollution  in  the  waterfront.    

Some  of  the  things  you  can  do  around  your  home  to  protect  the  ocean  are:  

• Try  to  purchase  non-­‐toxic  alternatives  to  harsh  chemicals  for  your  cleaning  needs,  use  up  the  entire  product  and  don’t  purchase  more  than  what  is  actually  needed.  Do  not  pour  unused  household  chemicals  down  the  drain  or  into  your  toilets.  

• Return  unused  pharmaceuticals  or  medications  to  your  pharmacy.  Unused  pharmaceuticals,  medications  and  other  personal  care  products  should  not  be  disposed  of  down  your  sink  drains  or  in  the  toilet.  

• Fats,  oils  and  grease  in  the  sewer  system  can  block  your  sewer  lateral  and  may  result  in  expensive  repairs  to  your  home.  Scrape  grease  and  food  scraps  off  your  plates.  Use  disposable  paper  towels  to  wipe  up  grease  and  place  them  in  your  green  bin.  Never  pour  grease  down  the  sink  drains  or  toilets.  

• Properly  dispose  of  products  such  as  paints,  solvents  and  vehicle  fluids.  Residents  may  take  these  wastes  to  the  Household  Hazardous  Waste  Depot  located  at  50  Chain  Lake  Dr.,  Bayers  Lake  Business  Park.  Latex  and  oil  base  paints  are  acceptable  at  your  local  Enviro  Depot  (TM).  Do  not  dispose  of  these  wastes  down  the  storm  drain.  

 

 

 

Rug  Cleaner:  

• 2  cups  cornmeal,  1  cup  Borax;  sprinkle,  leave  for  an  hour,  then  vacuum.  

Oven  Cleaner:  

• Mix  paste  of  Baking  Soda,  salt,  water.  

Stain  Removers  

Coffee  Stains:  

• Moist  salt.  

Grass  Stains:  

• Rub  with  glycerin  soap.  

Ink  Spots:  

• Cold  water,  1tsbp.  Cream  of  tartar,  1tbsp.  lemon  juice  

Mildew  

• Equal  parts  salt  &  white  vinegar  

Oil  Stains  

• White  chalk  rubbed  into  stain  before  washing.  

Polishes  

Brass:  

• Dip  a  clean  rag  in  vinegar,  dust  it  with  salt,  rub  the  brass.  Polish  with  a  clean  cloth  

Chrome:    

• Apple  cider  vinegar.  

Furniture/floor:  

• 1  part  lemon  juice,  2  parts  vegetable  oil.  Apply.  Rub  in.  Wipe  Clean.  

Conclusion  

In  order  for  Halifax  to  preserve  and  to  have  a  cleaner  harbour,  I  doesn’t  only  need  from  all  the  help  the  Halifax  Regional  Municipality  can  bring,  but  also  need  to  have  the  people  who  live  nearby  and  enjoy  this  water  body  aware  that  their  actions  on  their  daily  life  also  takes  an  important  role  on  the  quality  of  water  in  the  harbour.    

As  for  the  problem  with  the  city  sewage  treatment  plant,  Mayor  Peter  Kelly  has  promised  several  times  the  plant  will  be  working  back  again  for  spring  2010.  The  mayor  is  also  expecting  the  pollution  of  the  water  to  go  to  lower  levels  as  they  did  when  the  treatment  plant  was  created  in  2008.  For  that  time,  he  even  announced  that  the  quality  of  water  had  improved  so  much  that  it  was  safe  for  the  people  to  swim  back  again  on  the  harbour,  being  himself  the  first  to  jump  and  swim  at  the  Halifax  bay.  

Still,  there  will  be  pollution  coming  from  the  household  products  thrown  through  the  pipes,  the  stormwaters,  and  the  industrial  actives.  Additionally  the  harbour  could  be  affected  by  residential  construction  projects  being  held  nearby  the  harbour.  Leaving  a  long  way  for  environmentalists  and  the  scientific  community  to  research,  recommend  and  to  propose  legal  actions  to  preserve  the  harbour  and  the  ecosystem  it  owns.