Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posted by: Weathervane
N 45° 27.489 W 075° 35.412
18T E 453855 N 5034016
The Robert O. Pickard Environment Centre is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Waymark Code: WMDAYC
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 12/16/2011
Views: 37
The Robert O. Pickard Environment Centre:
Sits on 60 hectares (150 acres)
Treats domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater and returns treated water to the Ottawa River
Removes 90 per cent of pollutants from wastewater entering the facility
Operators continually monitor individual treatment processes to improve efficiency and determine future expansions of the facility based on changing sewer and water use patterns.
History:
Originally built in 1962 and called the Green’s Creek Pollution Control Centre
Named for Robert O. Pickard, the retired Commissioner of Works in the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton
Mr. Pickard helped initiate an expansion and upgrade of the centre to make it one of the largest treatment facilities in Canada
The upgrades from 1988 to 1993 included a secondary treatment process and the addition of biosolids processing
Odour control:
Odour control systems are used in processing areas that generate foul-smelling gases. The systems pass the gases through activated carbon beds, which absorb the smelly compounds.
In unique situations, sodium hypochlorite can be added to the treatment process as another odour control agent.
Process control:
Protecting the health of the Ottawa River is important part of treating wastewater. Processing of wastewater or sewage is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sensors throughout the plant allow staff to monitor the treatment process and notify them if a problem should arise. The stringent monitoring and testing program ensures that quality targets are met and potential process problems are identified early.
Generating electricity at the Pickard Centre:
As wastewater is treated and processed, digester gases, made up of methane and carbon dioxide are produced. The gas is highly flammable, and in the past was burnt off to avoid explosions. In 1998, a process was added to convert the gases into electricity and heat through a process called cogeneration. The heat and electricity produced is used to run the Pickard Centre.
For addtional information see the report available at the following web address: (
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