Water Pollution Control Centre

Establishment of the Control Centre

In 1972, the engineering firm of Dayton and Knight Ltd. were hired to undertake a wastewater survey to study various sewer treatment and effluent disposal methods. The survey resulted in the construction and official opening of the existing Water Pollution Control Centre on May 14, 1977. The survey also identified collection system priorities and set in motion the construction of seven sanitary lift stations and over 200 km of mainlines.

Under the direction of the Utilities Division, the City of Salmon Arm operates one of the most advanced wastewater treatment facilities in British Columbia. The process involves primary, secondary and tertiary treatment using a biological nutrient removal (BNR) process to produce an excellent quality effluent. Using both fixed growth and suspended growth reactors, the plant removes phosphorous, ammonia, solids and biological waste (BOD) from the raw sewage.

The plant also incorporates a state-of-the-art foul air, four-stage chemical scrubber; aerobic digestion; disk filtration and standby generator. The facility is classified under the Environmental Operators Certification Program as a Level IV plant based on the complexity and is operated by a chief operator and three operators.