Commercial/Institution
These projects rarely involve “one size fits all” solutions. Smaller commercial projects involving washroom-only wastewater follow a similar process as outlined in our Residential section. However, larger commercial projects involving high-strength wastewater and/or high flows require a more in-depth analysis and involve a more rigorous approval process.
The following list outlines the major tasks that may be required in order to design, construct and implement a commercial wastewater treatment system:
- background review:
- available background documentation
- mapping and aerial photography
- pre-consultation with approval agencies
- preparation of engineering scope of work
- site investigation
- hydrogeological assessment (Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change approvals)
- installation of monitoring wells
- establishment of groundwater flow direction
- sampling and laboratory analysis of groundwater and surface water
- water-supply well inventory
- assessment of potential impact on groundwater and surface water
- determination of effluent chemistry objectives/limits
- subsurface exploration to determine soil and groundwater conditions in leaching bed area(s)
- laboratory analysis of soil for percolation time assessment
- laboratory analysis of raw wastewater to determine influent chemistry and wastewater treatment requirements (high-strength wastewater applications)
- functionality assessment of existing septic system(s) that are proposed to be retained
- client interview to determine:
- sources of wastewater generation
- wastewater-generating operations and schedules
- cleaning practices and chemical use
- antibiotics and other pharmaceutical considerations
- calculation of design daily wastewater flow
- analysis of available metered water-use data (Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change approvals)
- review of published flow-rates as applicable to specific property
- selection of wastewater treatment technology
- preparation and administration of request-for-proposal for selected proprietary wastewater treatment technology supplier(s)
- review of submitted proposal(s) and provision of recommendations
- preparation of design report and construction drawings
- completion of application form and submission with design report for approval (Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change projects)
- liaison with approval agency during review/approval process
- selection of licensed contractor for construction
- preparation and administration request-for-tender
- review of submitted tender(s) and provision of recommendations
- construction review
- review of construction in-progress for general conformity to design
- provision of General Review Report and as-recorded drawing to client and approval agency
- ongoing monitoring/reporting services