Sewer & water services are available in most of the residential and commercial areas of the municipality.  The municipality purchases water from the Cartier Water Co-op and distributes the water from a pumping station and reservoir located in the RM of Headingley.  The municipality contracts with the Province of Manitoba for the treatment of sewage at the Headingley Correctional Institute.  Sewage is delivered to the treatment plant through a low-pressure sewage collection system where it is treated and discharged into the Assiniboine River.

Water Treatment

Water Source

Water is drawn from the Assiniboine River through a stainless steel intake structure located in the RM of Cartier. The water flows into a concrete wetwell on shore then submersible pumps convey the water to the water plant.  Water can be taken directly into the plant or can be stored in a 60 million-litre pond east of the plant. This allows for pretreatment and for discontinuing use of the river when quality deteriorates, typically in mid spring and late summer.

Treatment Process

A powerful oxidant, potassium permanganate, is added to the water to break down organic substances which contribute to the taste and odours.  A coagulant may be added to assist in removing suspended sediment.  Powdered activated carbon is added to absorb organics, again for taste and odour control.  The water is pumped into the clarifier, where it is mixed with re-circulated sludge and a number of chemicals.  Lime is added to increase pH (relative alkalinity) and which causes caronate “hardness” minerals and many other dissolved substances to precipitate out.  Caustic soda is added occasionally for non-caronate hardness removal.  Coagulant and polymer is added to bind precipitates and sediment together into a setteable “floc”, and powdered activated carbon is again added for taste and odour control.  The clear effluent is conveyed into a recarbonation tank where carbon dioxide is bubbled through to neutralize the high pH.  The water than passes through coal and sand filters and a small dosage of chlorine is added to kill pathogenic organisms (bacteria, viruses, etc).  Fluoride is added for dental health purposes. 

Reservoir and Pumping Station

Water is pumped via pipeline from the water treatment plant to a reservoir and pumping station in the RM of Headingley.  The station consists of a reservoir with a storage capacity of 1,100,000 Litres of water.  The station is equipped with electric pumps and one high capacity pump powered by a diesel engine to provide water service in the event of hydro interruptions.  The high capacity pump also will provide large volumes of water to the fire hydrants in Headingley in the event of a fire.  A standpipe for truck fill purposes is provided at the facility.  The standpipe operates on a debit card system which may be purchased at the municipal office. 

Water Testing

The water is tested for Chlorine residuals on a daily bases at the water treatment plant and at the Headingley reservoir as required under the Public Health Act.

Microbiological and Chlorine residual testing of the distribution system is conducted in three locations within the Municipality once every two weeks.  Samples are submitted to an accredited Laboratory for analysis in accordance to the Public Health Act and Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality to ensure that the water being delivered to the public is safe for human consumption.

SEWAGE COLLECTION & TREATMENT

A low-pressure sewage collection system services the R.M. of Headingley.  Household sewage is collected in individual household septic tanks.  These two chamber tanks have solid sewage storage on one side and a liquid sewage pumping chamber on the other side.  The liquid sewage is pumped to the sewage treatment plant by pumps servicing each sewage holding tank.  The forcemain system delivering the sewage to the treatment plant is approximately 5400 metres long and is comprised of three sections with 200 mm, 250 mm, and 300mm diameter pipes.   

Sewage Treatment Plant

The Headingley Sewage Treatment Plant is located at the Headingley Correctional Institute on Portage Ave.  The Plant treats sewage from the R.M. of Headingley and the Correctional Institute.

The rated capacity of the treatment plant is 1350m³/day, with a wet weather treatment capacity of 2700m³/day.  Approximately half the flow originates from Headingley Correctional Institute, while the other half comes from the R.M. of Headingley. The treatment system was designed to handle a flow with a BOD concentration of 250 mg/L.

The treatment system consists of an ICEAS Sequencing Batch Reactor process, an effluent equalization and pumping chamber, a UV disinfection tank, and aerobic sludge digestion tanks.  Digested sludge is pumped to the sludge storage pond.  Supernatant from the pond is pumped by the supernatant return pump into the plant infill for treatment. 

SEWER & WATER UTILITY RATES

Rates are based upon metered consumption and are charged quarterly.  Homeowners are responsible for an annual pump-out of the solid side of the septic tanks.

Rates are subject to a $10.25 quarterly service charge and quarterly minimum consumption based upon meter size.