Water Treatment System

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The City's drinking water is out of compliance with new (2019) Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Health Canada’s Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) for Manganese is now set at 0.12 mg/L and currently the City of Quesnel water quality ranges from <0.01 mg/L to 0.6 mg/L (average of 0.22 mg/L).

Manganese is a naturally occurring element that can be found in rocks, soil, and water. While manganese is an essential nutrient that our bodies need in small amounts, exposure to high levels of manganese through drinking water can have adverse health effects, especially to infants.

The City has hired drinking water engineers to create a water treatment system design to remove manganese from the drinking water. They have completed conceptual designs and are now furthering the design phase. Chlorination and filtration using pyrolusite media is selected as the preferred treatment option.

The future water treatment system

The new water treatment system will utilize a two-step process to remove manganese from the water.

  1. Groundwater will be pumped from City wells and enter one of the water treatment sites. It will be treated with a small amount of chlorine to disinfect the water.

  2. The chlorinated water will then move through specialized media filters that effectively removes manganese. The treated water will then move into City reservoirs to be distributed to residents and businesses.

Benefits of the new water treatment system

Improved Health

High levels of manganese in drinking water can have adverse effects on human health, particularly in infants and children. Exposure to high levels of manganese has been linked to developmental delays, neurological issues, and other health problems. Removing manganese from drinking water can help reduce the risk of these health issues.

Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant that is commonly used to treat public water supplies in order to kill harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause waterborne illnesses.

Better Taste and Odor

Manganese can give water an unpleasant taste and odor. By removing manganese from drinking water, the water will taste and smell better.

Improved Water Quality

Manganese is not the only contaminant that can be removed through the process of filtration. Other contaminants, such as iron and sediment, can also be removed, improving overall water quality.

Longer Lifespan of Plumbing Fixtures

High levels of manganese can cause staining on plumbing fixtures, such as sinks and toilets. Over time, this can lead to damage such as staining and blockages, reducing the lifespan of these fixtures. By removing manganese from drinking water, the lifespan of plumbing fixtures can be extended.

Safety of Chlorination

Chlorine disinfectants were first added to a public water supply in North America in 1908. By the 1920s, thousands of cities worldwide were using chlorine disinfectants to treat drinking water. There was a drastic reduction in water-borne infections, such as typhoid fever and cholera. Infant mortality also declined.

Through multiple studies, chlorine disinfectants have been found to not be harmful to people when used in the small amount needed to disinfect drinking water. In the new water treatment system, residual chlorine concentrations in the City drinking water will be approximately 0.2 - 0.5 mg/L.

Most cities or towns in Canada use chlorine disinfectants to treat drinking water and do not have chlorine levels over 2.0 mg/L in their tap water.

Next Steps

The project is now moving through the next phase of design which includes site investigations, advancing design drawings, and reviewing project costs. Once complete, the City will begin seeking funding with a grant-ready project.

The City's drinking water is out of compliance with new (2019) Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Health Canada’s Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) for Manganese is now set at 0.12 mg/L and currently the City of Quesnel water quality ranges from <0.01 mg/L to 0.6 mg/L (average of 0.22 mg/L).

Manganese is a naturally occurring element that can be found in rocks, soil, and water. While manganese is an essential nutrient that our bodies need in small amounts, exposure to high levels of manganese through drinking water can have adverse health effects, especially to infants.

The City has hired drinking water engineers to create a water treatment system design to remove manganese from the drinking water. They have completed conceptual designs and are now furthering the design phase. Chlorination and filtration using pyrolusite media is selected as the preferred treatment option.

The future water treatment system

The new water treatment system will utilize a two-step process to remove manganese from the water.

  1. Groundwater will be pumped from City wells and enter one of the water treatment sites. It will be treated with a small amount of chlorine to disinfect the water.

  2. The chlorinated water will then move through specialized media filters that effectively removes manganese. The treated water will then move into City reservoirs to be distributed to residents and businesses.

Benefits of the new water treatment system

Improved Health

High levels of manganese in drinking water can have adverse effects on human health, particularly in infants and children. Exposure to high levels of manganese has been linked to developmental delays, neurological issues, and other health problems. Removing manganese from drinking water can help reduce the risk of these health issues.

Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant that is commonly used to treat public water supplies in order to kill harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause waterborne illnesses.

Better Taste and Odor

Manganese can give water an unpleasant taste and odor. By removing manganese from drinking water, the water will taste and smell better.

Improved Water Quality

Manganese is not the only contaminant that can be removed through the process of filtration. Other contaminants, such as iron and sediment, can also be removed, improving overall water quality.

Longer Lifespan of Plumbing Fixtures

High levels of manganese can cause staining on plumbing fixtures, such as sinks and toilets. Over time, this can lead to damage such as staining and blockages, reducing the lifespan of these fixtures. By removing manganese from drinking water, the lifespan of plumbing fixtures can be extended.

Safety of Chlorination

Chlorine disinfectants were first added to a public water supply in North America in 1908. By the 1920s, thousands of cities worldwide were using chlorine disinfectants to treat drinking water. There was a drastic reduction in water-borne infections, such as typhoid fever and cholera. Infant mortality also declined.

Through multiple studies, chlorine disinfectants have been found to not be harmful to people when used in the small amount needed to disinfect drinking water. In the new water treatment system, residual chlorine concentrations in the City drinking water will be approximately 0.2 - 0.5 mg/L.

Most cities or towns in Canada use chlorine disinfectants to treat drinking water and do not have chlorine levels over 2.0 mg/L in their tap water.

Next Steps

The project is now moving through the next phase of design which includes site investigations, advancing design drawings, and reviewing project costs. Once complete, the City will begin seeking funding with a grant-ready project.

Ask a Question

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  • Share What is the expected completion date of the project? Is there a completion deadline set by Health Canada? on Facebook Share What is the expected completion date of the project? Is there a completion deadline set by Health Canada? on Twitter Share What is the expected completion date of the project? Is there a completion deadline set by Health Canada? on Linkedin Email What is the expected completion date of the project? Is there a completion deadline set by Health Canada? link

    What is the expected completion date of the project? Is there a completion deadline set by Health Canada?

    Steve Letoria asked over 1 year ago

    The only timeline is for the pre-design completion of this “project”. The Northern Health advisory states the City must work with qualified professionals to develop a water treatment plan, however have not been directed a time limit. 

     At completion of this pre-design (this winter) the costs and treatment process will be defined enough to have a construction cost estimate should grant funding become available.

  • Share Are there alternatives to chlorination? Our drinking water is much more palatable than in other cities in which I’ve lived, including Vancouver and Victoria. Chlorine in the water in those cities makes it taste almost salty. We’ve seen health guidelines change over the years in different directions, and adding chlorine to our water is so drastic. Are there alternatives to chlorine? on Facebook Share Are there alternatives to chlorination? Our drinking water is much more palatable than in other cities in which I’ve lived, including Vancouver and Victoria. Chlorine in the water in those cities makes it taste almost salty. We’ve seen health guidelines change over the years in different directions, and adding chlorine to our water is so drastic. Are there alternatives to chlorine? on Twitter Share Are there alternatives to chlorination? Our drinking water is much more palatable than in other cities in which I’ve lived, including Vancouver and Victoria. Chlorine in the water in those cities makes it taste almost salty. We’ve seen health guidelines change over the years in different directions, and adding chlorine to our water is so drastic. Are there alternatives to chlorine? on Linkedin Email Are there alternatives to chlorination? Our drinking water is much more palatable than in other cities in which I’ve lived, including Vancouver and Victoria. Chlorine in the water in those cities makes it taste almost salty. We’ve seen health guidelines change over the years in different directions, and adding chlorine to our water is so drastic. Are there alternatives to chlorine? link

    Are there alternatives to chlorination? Our drinking water is much more palatable than in other cities in which I’ve lived, including Vancouver and Victoria. Chlorine in the water in those cities makes it taste almost salty. We’ve seen health guidelines change over the years in different directions, and adding chlorine to our water is so drastic. Are there alternatives to chlorine?

    Resident asked over 1 year ago

    There are several potential ways to remove manganese. As part of the conceptual design work, multiple alternates options were assessed, including membrane filtration, biological media filtration and point of entry/point of use. The preferred option was selected based on simplicity, reliability, ease of operation and maintenance requirements, and most favorable capital cost. 

    Through multiple studies, chlorine disinfectants have been found to not be harmful to people when used in the small amount needed to disinfect drinking water. In the new water treatment system, residual chlorine concentrations in the City drinking water will be approximately 0.2 - 0.5 mg/L. 

    If you do not like the smell or taste of chlorine in your drinking water you can do any of the following:

    • Use a water pitcher with a filter
    • Use water that has passed through your fridge filter
    • Boil the water and let it cool
    • Place water in a clean container and let it sit for 24 hrs.
Page last updated: 28 Jun 2023, 11:59 AM