“While the Wastewater Treatment Plant itself (located on the corner of Main and Quilchena Avenue) was saved from damage, the final step involving the Rapid Infiltration Basins needed to be bypassed. Over the past several months, the City of Merritt had a special amended permit from the BC Ministry of Environment to allow clear, continuously quality-tested, treated wastewater to be discharged into the fast-flowing Coldwater River while the Rapid Infiltration basins were being repaired,” reads a release from the City.
While the wastewater was clean, it wasn’t the normal final step in the process.
“In the treatment plant, solids are removed, filtered, ground up, and treated. The remaining liquid is put into treatment tanks where good bacteria dissolve the bad bacteria. The treated wastewater is then chlorinated, and then dechlorinated. The wastewater is then piped from the Treatment Plant into the Rapid Infiltration Basin, where the treated liquid seeps back into the earth,” continued the release.
Final site work is expected to be completed this week. The city of Merritt also thanked all of its downstream neighbours for their patience during the repairs.
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