Biigtigong Nishnaabeg Water Treatment System Project

The project includes upgrades to the existing water system to provide water supply, treatment and storage to the community for the next 20 years. The preferred water alternative includes construction of a new water treatment plant (WTP) at the existing WTP location complete with new intake structure and 1,800 m long 250 mm diameter raw water intake pipe into Lake Superior, low lift pumping station, conventional filtration treatment, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, chlorine addition, a below-grade reservoir being utilized for chlorine contact and fire protection, a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and backup power. The project also includes a 2,275 m long 150mm diameter raw water supply line from the low lift station to the WTP and a 1,300 m long 250 mm diameter watermain from the new WTP to connect to the existing distribution system.

Intake: 1,800 m long 250 mm diameter intake pipe and intake structure will be constructed in Lake Superior. Low Lift Pumping Station: The pumping station wet well will have two/three low lift pumps to bring the raw water to the new treatment facility. Raw Water Supply Line: 2,275 m long 150 mm diameter raw water supply line from the low lift station to the WTP. Water Treatment Plant: A conventional package filtration water treatment plant will be installed on site in a new building. Ultraviolet (UV) and Chlorine disinfection will assist in providing necessary log removal credits prior to entering distribution system. Water Storage: A concrete below grade reservoir will be constructed with baffles beneath the new water treatment plant. The reservoir will be approximately 709 cubic metres in size to provide adequate fire protection storage to the community. Water Distribution: A 250 mm diameter, 1,300 m long watermain will be installed to provide water from the new water treatment plant to the existing distribution system. The recommended water distribution alternative includes connections to the existing water distribution system complete with fire protection to service the future lots and the existing Holistic Healing Centre.

During the design phase, activities will include site topographic survey and geotechnical investigation. Construction activities will include site clearing and grading; building of new water treatment facility; construction of access roads/driveways; installation of infrastructure servicing components (watermains, etc.); and restoration of affected areas. Operation activities should not change from existing activities. Watermains will be installed using a combination of open cut and trenchless methods. The following is a summary of site works items associated with the construction of the new infrastructure:
• General site grading (cutting/filling);
• Horizonal Directional Drilling;
• Excavation for water treatment system (rock and earth);
• Excavation for below grade concrete sub-structures; and
• Drainage swales and ditches.

The proposed facility will have poured reinforced concrete floor slabs, and concrete block walls and insulation. During
operation, the treatment facility and distribution system will require general interior/exterior maintenance activities
and occasional repairs.

The waste generation anticipated from this project would be comprised of construction related wastes during the construction period. The Contractor will be required to follow environmental protection control measures written in the Contract Documents. There is the potential for liquid waste generator as a result of spills. The likelihood of this is small and to mitigate the possible impacts, refueling of equipment and fuel storage (if conducted on-site) should be conducted in designated areas with spill protection. Construction activities could generate a small amount of gaseous waste from construction equipment exhaust and an increased amount of dust in the air as a result of rock excavation and blasting. Vehicles and equipment should be in good repair, equipped with emission controls, as applicable, and operated within regulatory requirements to mitigate this. Water would be used to minimize dust generation. Construction activities could also generate solid waste from packaging, cut off ends, etc. The waste will be properly disposed of by either recycling or directing it to a proper waste disposal site.

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Latest update

May 12, 2022 - Indigenous Services Canada and Infrastructure Canada issued its notice of dertermination ( https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/document/143804?blnPreview=true ) and determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
2 Biigtigong Nishnaabeg Water Treatment System Project - May 12, 2022
1 Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination - July 29, 2020

Contacts

Indigenous Services Canada
Aaron Pervais, Environmental Officer
101-100 Anemki Place Fort William First Nation
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7J 1A5
Telephone: 807-358-1802
Email: aaron.pervais2@sac-isc.gc.ca


  • Location

    • Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation) (Ontario)
  • Nature of Activity

    • Water Management
  • Assessment Status

    Completed
  • Start Date

    2021-11-26
  • Proponent

    Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation)
  • Authorities

    • Indigenous Services Canada
    • Infrastructure Canada
  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands
  • Reference Number

    80887
Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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