Water Dilemma Solved for Orangedale
After years of concern about their water supply, the people of Orangedale have a cost-effective solution -- and clean drinking water. Technology developed in Nova Scotia has given the Cape Breton village a worry-free water supply for the first time in years.
Environment Minister Don Downe said finding the solution is a perfect example of how a team approach can work. "This challenge has brought community, business and government together in an effort to find an affordable solution to a serious problem for the people of Orangedale," said Mr. Downe. "I am pleased that we have been able to play such a pivotal role here."
Groundwater in the Orangedale area is notoriously unfit for drinking and domestic use because of gypsum deposits.
To solve the problem, the Environment Department's Environmental Industries and Technologies Division introduced technology developed by MG Environmental Equipment of Enfield and manufactured by ABCO Industries Ltd. of Lunenburg.
The new process, called dissolved air flotation, removes suspended solids and organic particles by bringing them to the surface. In Orangedale, the system designed and engineered by ABL Environmental Consultants Ltd. of Dartmouth can treat about 55,000 litres (12,000 gallons) per day. It is serving 60 homes, a seniors' complex and several other facilities with an average daily consumption of about 36,000 litres (8,000 gallons).
The system has been put in place at a cost of $75,000, which is a huge saving to the community, said Tom Gunn of the Orangedale Water Commission.
"Initially, we were considering a new pipeline to a spring on the other side of the community at a cost of over $300,000," said Mr. Gunn. "Now we have a system that works, our water is clean, at a fraction of that cost. The community seems pleased."
Before this treatment solution, residents were forced to drive six to 10 kilometres to collect their drinking water in bottles.
Tests indicate water treated through the new system meets or exceeds Canadian drinking water quality guidelines. The Nova Scotia departments of the Environment and Housing and Municipal Affairs contributed $58,500 to the project. The remaining funds were raised at the community level.