On the Road with Clean Water

From the outside, it looks like an ordinary camping trailer. On the inside, the trailer is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. This is a water-treatment facility on wheels developed by Sydney-based Rawdon Technologies Ltd. And it is supplying safe drinking water to communities around Nova Scotia.

Pilot studies around the province have demonstrated the cost- effectiveness and efficiency of the water-treatment process on small scale. The demonstration projects use a treatment process that removes suspended solids and organic particles by bringing them up to the surface.

"The Department of Environment and Labour is always looking to lend its support to companies like Rawdon Technologies. It's a benefit to all Nova Scotians," said Robert Anderson, planning and development officer with the Department of Environment and Labour.

The partnership has led to the operation of a permanent site for a fully automated water-treatment plant in Birch Grove, Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Adding to this success, Rawdon Technologies was recently awarded the contract to supply their Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) equipment for the Arichat Water Treatment Plant. The contract is valued in the $500,000 range.

The ongoing commitment between the Department of Environment and Labour, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, the National Research Council and Rawdon Technologies throughout the project have made it a success.

"Local companies such as Rawdon are very fortunate to have these government agencies work together to help promote Nova Scotia technology. They provide funding initiatives to help them get established in their respective businesses," said Colleen Brushett, Rawdon Technologies' marketing and communications manager.

The new Birch Grove water treatment plant has been a showcase: it allows the company to demonstrate its expertise on a larger scale. And the company has boosted the Cape Breton economy because DAF tanks and other mechanical, electrical and automated equipment are fabricated locally.

June 2 to 8 is Environment Week across Canada. This year's theme is The Environment -- It's In Your Hands.

Call the Department of Environment and Labour at 902-424-2580 or visit our Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/eit. , to read more about Nova Scotia's environmental partnerships.