The purpose of the Abbotsford/Mission Water & Sewer Commission Source Control Program (WSCSCP) is to reduce the amounts of contaminants that industries, businesses, institutions and households discharge into the sanitary sewer systems. These discharges may contain significant quantities of contaminants and other substances that can affect the collection and treatment system as well as the health of workers, the public, and the aquatic environment. Some contaminants will be removed in the solids and end up in the biosolids, a condition that can restrict the beneficial use or result in costly remediation and recycling efforts. The efficiency of the treatment and its costs are closely related to the quantity and quality of the wastewater treated. Consequently, an effective source control program is an economical and sustainable means of managing wastewater treatment.
The objectives of the WSCSCP are to:
- Protect the aquatic receiving environment adjacent to the JAMES Treatment Plant sewage outfall;
- Protect the JAMES Treatment Plant against corrosion, blockage and other harmful effects related to the presence of wastewater contaminants;
- Ensure that the health and safety of sewage workers and the general public is not put at risk due to the presence of wastewater contaminants;
- Protect the quality of the biosolids produced at the JAMES Treatment Plant to allow unrestricted options for beneficial use and recycling;
- Protect the JAMES Treatment Plant against treatment process upsets due to high contaminant loadings; and
- Promote responsible pollution prevention practices, including reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, and residuals management.
The WSCSCP uses the Sewer Rates and Regulations Bylaw as the main regulatory instrument in achieving the above objectives. Wastewater Discharge Permits and Codes of Practice are part of the bylaw requirements. The WSCSCP also uses the BOD & TSS Waste Program to help achieve the program objectives.