Sewer

Stony Plain's sanitary sewer system plays an important role in citizens' good health and hygiene by collecting wastewater from homes and businesses. Wastewater is any flow from sinks, toilets or appliances - such as washing machines and dishwashers.

Wastewater collected from your home is transported through a network of pipes and pump stations to the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission (ACRWC) regional treatment plant located in Edmonton. Following treatment at the plant, what started out as wastewater is discharged as clean water into the North Saskatchewan River basin and the aquatic ecosystem all the way to Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay.

The ACRWC is a model of regional cooperation, providing wastewater transmission and treatment services to 13 municipalities in the Alberta Capital Region, including the Town of Stony Plain. The mission of the ACRWC is to provide safe, reliable, cost-efficient and environmentally responsible wastewater transmission and treatment. The ACRWC contributes to the health and safety of Albertans and their ecosystem, while enabling the growth and development of its member communities.

Residents can help keep our town's sewer system running properly by not pouring liquid fats, oil or grease down kitchen sinks and by preventing unwanted rainwater from inflowing or infiltrating the sanitary sewer system, which can can result in sewage backing up into your home.

Fats, Oils & Grease

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are by-products of cooking, which can solidify in sewer pipes and cause sewer blockages.

FOG includes foods such as:

• meat fats;
• lard;
• cooking oil;
• butter and margarine; and
• sauces.

You can help prevent FOG from clogging sewer lines by properly disposing of FOG properly, rather than pouring it down the kitchen sink drain. Fats and grease can be stored in disposable containers and thrown out with other garbage. Cooking oil should be cooled and stored in covered plastic containers. Small amounts can be thrown out with other garbage. Larger quantities - four litres or more - should be taken to the Rotary Recycling Depot.

Businesses, particularly restaurants, are required to install and properly maintain grease traps in their premises. Grease traps should be adequately sized and regularly maintained, and the captured grease should be properly disposed in accordance to the regional Wastewater Bylaw.

Inflow & Infiltration

Sanitary sewer inflow & infiltration (I&I) is rainwater and groundwater that enters the sanitary system through improper connections and defects. This unwanted water uses up the capacity of the sewer pipe and can cause sewage to back up into your home. It can also cause sanitary sewer overflows to the environment and damage sensitive ecosystems.

There are many sources of I&I, including:

• roof and foundation drains that are improperly connected to sewer pipes;
• uncapped or damaged sewer clean-outs;
• sewer pipe defects;
• roots growing into sewer pipes;
• leaky manhole covers; and
• lawn- and catch-basins that are improperly connected to sewer pipes.

The Town has a program in place to find and repair sources of I&I in the Town's sewer system. The Town's engineering and public works divisions are responsible for maintaining the Town's sanitary sewer lines, in accordance with the Town's Municipal Design Standards.

You can help reduce I&I from coming from your house by:

• checking that your gutters and outside drains are not connected to your sanitary sewer pipes;
• avoiding planting trees or shrubs near sewer pipes;
• checking that your basement and foundation drains are not connected to your sanitary sewer pipes; and
• repairing defective or broken sewer pipes on your property.