Next week in Toronto, thousands of leading water organizations and professionals are gathering at the Internation Water Association World Water Congress to share and learn from each other about shaping and delivering solutions across the full water cycle. Associated Engineering is pleased to be a gold sponsor of the Canadian Pavilion, as well as supporting the Young World Water Camp featuring 30 future leaders representing 14 countries!

In the technical program on Monday, in Session 2.35 at 1:30pm is our presentation titled “Pharmaceutically Active Compounds in Wastewater: A Review of Occurrence, Regulatory Framework and Removal Methods”, authored by Shahab Minaei, Soubhagya Pattanayak, and Dean Shiskowski.

Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) have become an emerging public concern because of their prevalence and persistent nature. These compounds are engineered to exhibit significant activity even at minimal concentrations, which raises alarms about their potential adverse effects on exposed organisms over extended periods. With the advancement of analytical techniques, a growing body of literature is addressing the presence of PhACs in various environments and their associated toxicological effects. Nonetheless, there is a gap in thorough understanding of regulatory landscape to establish the discharge limits as well as the effectiveness of the existing wastewater treatment technologies in reducing PhAC concentrations to non-toxic levels. In this context, this review will provide an overview of PhAC occurrence, current regulatory frameworks, and removal methods.

Also in the same program session (2.2), a pair of our posters will be featured:

Enlarged Anaerobic Zone – Evolution of EBPR Design in MBR | Soubhagya Pattanayak, Dean Shiskowski, Daniel du Toit

Undersizing anaerobic zones has led to poor performance of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) in many wastewater treatment plants. In a greenfield 70 MLD membrane bioreactor (MBR) project in central Alberta, an important objective was to meet stringent P limits. Simulations to evaluate the impact of different anaerobic zone mass fractions on EBPR were conducted and a large anaerobic zone (mass fraction ~ 15%; volume fraction ~ 23%) was chosen for final design.

Effect of Extended Solids Retention Time (SRT) on Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) Kinetics in a Membrane Bioreactor Process | Rony Das, Soubhagya Pattanayak

There is an ever-increasing demand from Water Resource Recovery Facilities to optimize solids production and subsequent processing. The enhanced biological phosphorus removal process (EBPR) operated at extended solids retention time (SRT) could be an attractive and sustainable in-situ treatment solution to achieve low sludge yield. We investigated the performance of a membraneassisted EBPR process for a set of SRTs (25, 40, 60, and 80 days) in a dual-train parallel system fed with municipal wastewater. The objectives of the study were to (1) determine sludge yield at different SRTs, (2) characterize P-removal performance at extended SRTs, and (3) determine if distinctive microbial populations are associated with “normal” and “extended” SRT systems.

The post Join us at the 2024 IWA World Water Congress! first appeared on Associated Engineering.

Associated Engineering is pleased to announce the appointment of Elia Edwards, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. as Vice President, Integrated Water Solutions.

Most recently, Elia was the Division Manager, Water in the Toronto office and has been with the company for over 27 years. He has been involved on many multi-disciplinary water projects in Ontario and across Canada, serving in roles ranging from process engineer through to corporate sponsor.

Elia is also a Director on Associated’s Group Board and is our Strategic Advisory Services Leader in the Ontario marketplace. His diverse areas of expertise include master planning and feasibility studies, process analysis, optimization, regulatory review, sustainable design, and implementation. Elia provides strategic insights and technical guidance in developing solutions with our staff and clients, for a full range of water planning and implementation projects.

The post Announcing new Vice President, Integrated Water Solutions first appeared on Associated Engineering.

Associated Engineering is pleased to announce the following individuals will be presenting in various streams of the technical program next week in Toronto at 52nd WEAO Technical Symposium. We invite all delegates to hear from our speakers on April 17 and 18th!

April 17, 2023

4:15 PM – 4:45 PM | Maple West
Modelling the Impacts of Grey Water Reuse Implementation on Wastewater Treatment Plants | Ryan Thoren  

Grey water treatment systems collect, store and treat grey water to specified standards for reuse. Depending on the level of treatment, this enables the use of treated grey water for applications such as above-ground irrigation, laundry, and toilet flushing. In addition to reduced demands on drinking water distribution and wastewater collection systems, implementation of grey water reuse has the potential to impact WWTP operations. To assess the potential impacts on WWTPs, a model was developed to predict changes to WWTP influent flows, concentrations, and mass loadings as a result of grey water reuse implementation. Two scenarios were modeled to investigate different rates of grey water reuse uptake in newly constructed homes for a medium-sized municipality (population of 500,000 people). Results were determined up to the year 2051 using population and housing development projections. The impacts of reduced flows on sewage collection systems were also assessed at a high level.

4:15 PM – 4:45 PM | Willow East

Rooftop Solar Systems at Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facilities | Don Bai

Rooftop Solar Systems at Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facilities | Don Bai
Drivers and Key Considerations to designing and constructing rooftop solar systems at Wastewater treatment and collection system facilities. Followed up with a case study examination of a success deployment.

4:45 PM – 5:15 PM | Willow Centre
Feasibility of Advanced Digestion Options to Reduce Biosolids Volume | José Bicudo

This paper discusses the feasibility of biosolids management options based on variations and enhancement of anaerobic digestion, which might help address capacity concerns at a regional composting facility. Different options were analyzed for biosolids volume reduction, energy generation and use, life-cycle cost, including sensitivity to select input parameters. A structured decision-making process, using a simplified triple bottom line (TBL) approach, is also included to provide a comparative evaluation of the options and inform the City on a number of important corporate considerations.

April 18, 2023

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Maple West
Wiped Out? – Screens for Small Wastewater Treatment Plants | Amir Esmaeili    

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) servicing small communities with rated average daily flows of less than 500 m3/d do not typically have screening units (fine screens). In the past, this was done as a cost-saving measure for these small communities and was deemed to not significantly impact the downstream treatment processes. Operational and maintenance problems associated with nuisance inorganic solids, such as flushable wipes, have become more prevalent in many sewage pumping stations and WWTPs. These problems include plugging of pumps and piping, material settling in quiescent areas of tanks and reduced quality of the biosolids. Implementing screen units in small WWTPs would mitigate the operational issues associated with flushable wipes clogging pumps and process piping. The objectives of this paper are to describe design criteria and considerations for implementing screen units in small WWTPs; present suitable screening technologies for small WWTPs; and discuss challenges with implementing screen units in existing facilities.

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Willow West
Investigating Plant-wide and Process-Specific Odour Emissions | Nico Carunungan 

In response to odour complaints made by residents living near the Kitchener and Hespeler Wastewater Treatment Plants in 2021 and 2022 respectively, we studied regional weather data, reviewed plant operating conditions, and measured odour emissions at both facilities to determine any causal relationships between treatment activities and the complaints received. It was determined that neither plant was generating odours that could have caused the nearby residential complaints over the durations of the study periods. A key point of interest to note is that we investigated the Kitchener WWTP on a plant-wide scale, while we put specific emphasis on the aerobic digestion process at the Hespeler WWTP as it had been recently upgraded to treat thickened waste activated sludge. Through both studies, we demonstrate that baseline profiling of odour emissions is essential to determining any causal relationships between wastewater treatment processes and sources of odours at treatment facilities.

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM  | Willow West
Managing Odours from Biosolids Storage and Processing – A Case Study from the Galt WWTP | Michael Blain

Biosolids processing facilities, particularly those including dewatered cake storage and truck loading bays, can produce a complex mixture of odours beyond the typical compounds such as H2S that are often the focus of odour treatment at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). At the Galt WWTP, there are two parallel carbon adsorption systems for building and process air treatment for the Biosolids Facility. This paper describes multiple rounds of odour sampling over the course of 8 years, and the presence of compounds including organic sulpur, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds that contribute to the odour mixture and require treatment. The paper also reviews technology options to treat this mixture including activated carbon, biofilter, and chemical scrubber, as well as constructability and life cycle cost considerations for this retrofit application.

The post Associated presents at Water Environment Association of Ontario Annual Conference first appeared on Associated Engineering.

In high school, Sarvejit Nagi, Manager of our Bridges & Structures team in Toronto, was a high performing student in mathematics and physics. He also enjoyed building structures with Lego. These combined interests led Sarvejit to pursue a degree in civil/structural engineering. While at the University of Toronto, Sarvejit was mentored by a professor who specialized in reinforced concrete and steel design, which fostered his interest in structures. He also credits his sister, who runs a pharmaceutical consulting business, with providing mentorship.

As an engineering graduate, Sarvejit took on roles in materials inspection and as a construction assistant superintendent. Eventually, positions arose in structural inspection and bridge design. Sarvejit recalls, “I worked hard to improve my bridge design skills and was offered a permanent position as a transportation design engineer, which was a rare opportunity at the time.”

He tells us, “The first structural drawing I sealed was a tall cantilever retaining wall; this was a personal milestone.” Since, then Sarvejit has gained experience with more complex designs; each has given him a sense of satisfaction, particularly in-slab and beam-type bridges and three grade-separated rail bridges. 

After eight years with Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation Engineering Services, Sarvejit pursued positions in consulting engineering, motivated by the faster-paced environment. 

About eight years ago, Sarvejit became aware of Associated Engineering.

“I reviewed some of Associated’s engineering documents and appreciated the technical content. I was attracted to Associated by the quality of the work.”

Since joining the company in 2016, he says the management team, opportunity for personal development, growth, planning, and collaboration has kept him excited about working at Associated.

Some of Sarvejit’s project highlights include the Don River Boulevard Bridge Replacement; multiple (ten) bridge repairs in Toronto; and Steeles Avenue Rehabilitation; and Prince Edward Viaduct and Rosedale Valley Viaduct Rehabilitation. In particular, the luminous veil was an enormous undertaking, with a well-planned bridge inspection that led to evaluations, design, and construction administration. Working on the Owner’s Engineer team for the $1.88 billion Regina Bypass project was another highlight. 

“Our staff are our most valuable resource. We need to guide them in their career paths, provide mentorship, and share our experiences.”

As a Senior Structural Engineer and manager, Sarvejit says, “I enjoy seeing our staff grow and develop, including technical staff and Engineers-in-Training to Professionals. If you instill trust in staff, provide them with interesting and challenging projects and guidance, they can and will deliver.” Sarvejit believes in keeping communication open with staff, collaborating with other disciplines, providing support, and identifying key design considerations in their solutions. 

“My approach to working with clients and project delivery is to seek client input on the design, and understand their concerns and risks, so that the design meets their requirements.” 

Outside of work, Sarvejit is an avid sports fan, and a longtime Toronto Maple Leafs supporter. He enjoys tennis, golf, and badminton, and loves the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. He is also a member of a motorcycle club that supports local charities in Ontario.

The post Making connections has been key to Sarvejit Nagi’s career in consulting engineering first appeared on Associated Engineering.